Writing: Whose Job Is It Anyway?

Progressive Pediatric Therapy • November 9, 2020

Written by: Regina De Canto, M.S, CCC-SLP and Tiffany Thomsen, MS, OTR/L

Two women are standing next to each other in front of a sign that says writing : whose job is it anyway ?
Occupational therapist, Tiffany Thomsen (left) and Speech therapist, Regina De Canto (right)
provide a quick guide to how occupational and speech therapy work on writing in different ways.

Our kids learn the prerequisites needed to write as early as when they start picking up a crayon and coloring! So when it comes to writing difficulties, do you consult an occupational therapist? Or do you consult a speech therapist? Since writing is a multisensory approach to expressing ourselves, writing is also one of the many areas that speech and occupational therapy overlap!

A notebook with a pencil on it is sitting on a wooden table.
Speech therapy address language within writing

Hey, Regina! How does speech therapy address writing?

Speech therapy deals with the expression of written language . Just like in spoken language, we look at the phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics of written language. When your child is writing, are they sounding out the word to spell? Are they writing an “s” at the end of plurals? Can they create a sentence or two to describe a picture? Basically, we are looking at how a child puts their thoughts into words on paper.

A person is writing the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper.
Occupational therapy
address fine motor
and visual skills

Hey, Tiffany! How does occupational therapy address writing?

Occupational therapy addresses the mechanical actions it takes to write . We look at coordinating the eyes, arms, hands, pencil grip, letter formation, strength, and body posture when a child is writing. When your child is writing, is their starting point at the top of the space? Are they holding a pencil correctly to write? Are their letters varying in size all over the page? We are looking at how a child’s handwriting is affected by their fine motor, visual perceptual, and visual motor skills.

Regina and Tiffany, my child is in preschool, should he/she be writing?

A boy and a girl are playing in the sand on the beach.
Preschoolers should work on prerequisite skills to writing

Ah, the fun stage of preschool! We are in agreement that, developmentally speaking, they may not be ready to write yet! You will find that occupational and speech therapy won’t necessarily address writing until school-age. However, we are going to work on some fundamental, foundational skills they will need to prepare them for writing!

Speech Therapy…

  • Identifying and naming numbers
  • Identifying and naming letters
  • Corresponding sounds to letters
  • Recognizing letters or words apart from other symbols

Occupational Therapy…

  • Hand strength
  • Posture
  • Evolution of grasps
  • Drawing shapes or people
A group of children are sitting at desks in a classroom writing in notebooks.
Both therapies address writing for school-age children

Alright, ladies, how does speech or occupational therapy help my kindergartner?

By kindergarten, both speech and occupational therapy can help with writing. We both target copying words , writing uppercase letters , writing on a single baseline with good spacing , and writing their name . Here is how we are different…

Speech Therapy…

  • Following academic directions like “Copy this word!”
  • Writing all letters of the alphabet
  • Attempting to spell basic words like “cat” or “blue”

Occupational Therapy…

  • Understanding how to write within a given space
  • Starting points on a page
  • Letter formation and sizing

I want to learn more about how occupational and speech therapy work on writing!

If you would like a deeper understanding on how occupational therapy and speech therapy work on writing or for older children in their different therapeutic approaches, check out these blogs by Regina and Tiffany:

“You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” – F. Scott Fitzgeral d


The post Writing: Whose Job Is It Anyway? appeared first on PPT4Kids.

Will an AAC Device Stop My Child From Talking? What New Research Says

By Aimee Brueck • July 21, 2026
The answer may surprise you. One of the biggest concerns parents have about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is: "If my child starts using an AAC device, will they stop trying to talk?" It's an understandable fear. Every parent wants to hear their child's voice. Many worry that introducing a communication device means they're giving up on speech. The good news is that decades of research continue to show the opposite. AAC does not prevent children from learning to talk. In fact, many children who use AAC develop spoken language just as quickly, or even more quickly, because they are finally able to communicate successfully while speech continues to develop. Now, exciting new research published in 2026 adds another reason for families to feel hopeful. It found that preschoolers using AAC can learn much more than requesting their favorite toy or snack. With the right therapy, they can begin building sentences and expressing more complex thoughts.
Person in a motorized exoskeleton using a kiosk in a hospital hallway

Supported Standing For Head & Trunk Control

By Mary B. Pengelley, PT, DPT, ATP • July 18, 2026
Chapter 1: Why Do Some Children Use Standers?

Mealtime Made Simple: Building Confident Eaters and Calmer Family Tables

By Aimee Brueck • July 10, 2026
For many families, mealtime can feel more stressful than enjoyable. Parents often worry when their child suddenly refuses foods they used to love or insists on eating only a small handful of familiar items. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, we understand how confusing and frustrating picky eating can feel. Our Feeding & Mealtime Wellness Visit helps families turn mealtime struggles into calm, confident routines where children can explore food without pressure and parents can feel supported.

Help Your Child Move Beyond Screens: Build Play Skills That Support Development & Connection

By Aimee Brueck • July 3, 2026
In today’s tech-filled world, many parents notice the same pattern at home: when there’s a quiet moment, children often reach for a screen. While technology can be helpful in moderation, play remains one of the most important ways children grow, connect, and learn about the world. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, our Play Development Wellness Visit helps families understand how play develops and provides simple, practical strategies to encourage creativity, independence, and connection—without the daily battles over screen time.

The Benefits of Bike Riding for Kids: More Than Just a Fun Activity

By Aimee Brueck • June 26, 2026
For many families, learning to ride a bike is one of childhood’s biggest milestones.It represents freedom, confidence, independence, and fun.But for some children, bike riding can also feel frustrating, scary, or overwhelming. Parents often wonder:

The Power of Handwriting: Why Print and Cursive Still Matter for Kids

By Aimee Brueck • June 24, 2026
In today’s digital world, children are spending more time typing, tapping, and swiping, and less time writing by hand. Many parents notice the effects quickly.

Is Your Child Ready for School? Skills That Matter More Than ABCs

By Aimee Brueck • June 19, 2026
When parents think about kindergarten or preschool readiness, most think about academics first:

Prevent Summer Slide: Build Reading Confidence with Our Lively Letters Summer Intensive

By Aimee Brueck • June 17, 2026
Summer is a time for fun, family vacations, pool days, and a much-needed break from the school routine. But for many children, summer can also bring something educators call the “summer slide” the loss of important academic skills during the months away from school. For children who struggle with reading, language, or literacy confidence, those gaps can grow even wider over the summer months. That’s why Progressive Pediatric Therapy created our Summer Private Reading Intensive — a personalized, one-to-one literacy experience designed to help children strengthen foundational reading skills while building confidence and momentum before the new school year begins. Using the trusted Lively Letters® approach, our summer program combines evidence-based literacy instruction with engaging, multisensory learning strategies that help children stay motivated and successful.

Florida Medicaid CMS Plan Changes: What Families and Providers Need to Know About the 2026 Transition

By Aimee Brueck • June 12, 2026
Important changes are coming to Florida’s Medicaid Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Health Plan beginning October 1, 2026.

10 Best Pediatric Physical Therapy CEU Courses Online (2026 Guide)

By Aimee Brueck • June 5, 2026
Continuing education is essential for pediatric physical therapists who want to stay current with evidence-based treatment strategies, maintain licensure, and improve outcomes for children and families.