Therapist Cindy Utzinger of Lake Norman Regional Medical Center works with Joseph Bunk. (Lake Norman Regional Medical Center photo)

MOORESVILLE – Handwriting is an important skill, and some children struggle with learning it.  Handwriting problems can affect a child’s academic performance as well as their self-esteem.

A program at Lake Norman Regional Rehabilitation Center is offering help with the many underlying problems behind handwriting deficits. Handwriting Without Tears is a multi-sensory, developmentally based approach to teaching handwriting and focuses on pre-printing, printing and cursive for children Pre-K thru 5th grade.

The program’s goal is to make legible handwriting an easy and automatic skill, all while having fun.

Difficulty with letter formation or reversals, being left-handed, pencil grip, staying focused and sensory integration or processing deficits are some of the barriers that cause children to having difficulty with handwriting.

Cindy Utzinger, is a licensed Occupational Therapist at Lake Norman Rehabilitation Center and has 13 years’ experience working with clients and helping them overcome these barriers.

“Through improving a child’s handwriting, we can improve their academic performance and their ability to express themselves,” states Cindy Utzinger, OT/L. During a session, children use scented play dough, wooden sticks, foam soap and other sensory tools which allow them to explore a letter before trying to write it.

For more information on this program, please contact Cindy Utzinger at 704-906-9132 or by email cindyutzinger@gmail.com

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