People living with Parkinson’s have difficulty in controlling movement because of chemical changes taking place in their brains.
This can make fine motor skills like writing more difficult. As a result, their handwriting can look small and cramped.
The medical term for this is Micrographia which literally
means ‘small handwriting’. Individual letters tend to be
smaller than normal, and words are closely spaced.
Some tips on resolving handwriting include:
It is important to consciously think about your letter size and the words or letters before you write them. Plan bigger, spaced out letters.
After writing a line, stop, relax and breathe deeply. Stretch using wide arm movements and then recommence writing.
Practice helps. Remind yourself to slow down, aim BIG and pause often!
Want to know more about improving your handwriting?
To speak with a Parkinson’s specialist call the Parkinson’s NSW InfoLine 1800 644 189