Deficits in Handwriting of Individuals with Autism: a Review on Identification and Intervention Approaches

• Published in: Review journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 70 - 90
• Main Authors: Verma, Pragya, Lahiri, Uttama
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Cognitive Processes; Computers; Correlation; Developmental Psychology; Executive Function; Handwriting; Inhibition; Literature Reviews; Memory; Motor Development; Neurosciences; Psychiatry; Psychology; Psychomotor Skills; Rehabilitation; Review Paper; Semitic Languages; Short Term Memory; Social Work; Autism; Handwriting; Computer-assisted intervention; Robot-assisted intervention
• ISSN: 2195-7177; 2195-7185
• DOI: 10.1007/s40489-020-00234-7

The complex handwriting skill, necessary for effective expression that has spatial, temporal, and kinaesthetic aspects ( three-aspects henceforth), needs planning alongwith fine motor skill. Unlike neurotypicals, individuals with Autism possess cognitive and motor deficits adversely affecting handwriting, addressable through intervention. This necessitates to have comprehensive review on the struggles these children face while (hand)writing alongwith appropriate intervention. None categorize studies identifying the three-aspects of handwriting alongwith cognitive and motor processes and the intervention techniques. Here, we present a holistic review (i) categorizing studies emphasizing the three aspects of handwriting alongwith the underlying processes and (ii) highlighting the conventional, computer-assisted, and robot-assisted intervention techniques. Our review indicates that individuals with Autism struggle with the three-aspects of handwriting which can be addressed through intervention.