Response: Pencil Grips
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Pencil grips are a simple accommodation that can help a student with fine motor problems, hand shaking, tremors, or writing disabilities complete a task that requires a written response. Pencil grips are plastic or rubber, and are available in various shapes and sizes. Typically, they are placed on standard pencils.
Allow students to practice with pencil grips before taking a test. Try out several types and make sure students benefit from using the grips and feel comfortable with them. Some students may benefit from using the pencil grips for all academic tasks that require writing.
Procedure
- Identify a student who may benefit from using a pencil grip.
- Select two or three styles of pencil grips.
- Then, have the student try out each pencil grip for a day or two and choose the one that is best.
- It is helpful to work out a routine for what to do with the grip when it is not in use.
Cautions
Some students have difficulty keeping track of their pencils. Teachers may wish to have a special "pencil container" on the student's desk to ensure that pencils with grips always are available.
Excerpted from Assessment Accommodations Toolkit.
Provided in partnership with The Council for Exceptional Children.
