Initial Post

Here are our initial notes for developing a system to measure different elements of position and pressure that contribute to handwriting.

--who
1. elementary school students with handwriting problems (primary
target population)
2. other people who could benefit from the system could include adults
with CVA, traumatic brain injury, other causes of handwriting problems

--what
an integrated system that measures one or more of:
downward pressure on the pen
grip pressure
arm and hand position
leg position and foot position
body position/posture
attention (glances away)
letter formation
pen position

---how we would use it:
* for research and evaluation
1. record video and have it available for review by eye
2. record measurements and process those measurements to develop
baselines, learn how different elements are connected and build from
there

* feedback for kids
1. some sort of game that uses real-time feedback
2. in general, a scaled-down automated system that provides feedback
as a person writes

--where
1. in schools in occupational therapy room
2. in rehab centers
3. in private rehab
4. at home?

--why
1. help children become more successful in school
2. help teach body awareness, proprioception, tactile awareness, etc.,
to children with handwriting problems
3. help adults regain lost abilities and independence

--outside people who we will work with
1. Heidi
2. other OTs or a facility (Rusk institute?) that works with handwriting rehab
3. Heidi's students


******

Equipment:

--some sort of equipment for measuring pressure and letter formation
using a pen and/or a surface (daniel research pen pressure technology,
surface measurement technology)
--a webcam for direct video recording (attention and posture and
letter formation) and tracking arm and hand position and possibly pen
position
--switches or another webcam for leg/foot position
--switches for arm positioning?
--what are good ways to measure posture?