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A Tablet App for Handwriting Skill Screening at the Preliteracy Stage: Instrument Validation Study
Linda Greta Dui1, Francesca Lunardini1, Cristiano Termine2
1Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
JMIR Serious Games
|October 22, 2020
Summary
Early detection of dysgraphia is possible using a new tablet app that measures handwriting laws in children, even before they master writing. This technology offers accessible, objective screening for handwriting difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Human-computer interaction
- Educational technology
Background:
- Dysgraphia significantly impacts children's daily lives.
- Current handwriting assessments are subjective, delayed, and inaccessible.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing handwriting difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- Quantify key handwriting features indicative of dysgraphia.
- Enable early assessment in preliteracy populations.
- Utilize accessible consumer technology for screening and monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Developed a tablet-based app, Play Draw Write.
- Assessed handwriting laws: isochrony, homothety, and speed-accuracy tradeoff.
- Tested on children aged 5-9 years, including preliterate and proficient writers.
Main Results:
- Handwriting laws were validated on tablet surfaces for words and symbols.
- Significant age-related evolution in movement time and performance index observed.
- Key handwriting principles are present before formal writing acquisition.
Conclusions:
- The app enables early detection of handwriting difficulties in preliterate children.
- Provides accessible, objective monitoring of handwriting development.
- Facilitates timely intervention to prevent long-term impacts.
