chalkboard circle trace

Chalkboard Circle Trace is used early in therapy and is part of the series of activities which fall under the phrase: “Close To”.

In the “Close To” activities we begin with relatively large shapes and movements and we are working to provide the opportunity for the patient to learn to direct action close to, or in this case, directly on, a line that they have drawn themselves. At first we will have wide latitudes in terms of what is considered “accurate” or “on the line”. Over time we will want them to be more discerning, while at the same time not looking with too much intensity or with too much tension in the body. Remember that grace in movement is a desired goal.

We will have the patient explore this with and without a patch. Each visual channel should be able to direct each hand in both directions around the circle. Ultimately, this should be done with both eyes open and in a free and easy manner.

EQUIPMENT: A chalkboard or a white marker board. The physical feel of the chalk on a chalkboard adds to the tactile feedback the patient gets while performing the task. Many offices now, only have white marker boards. There is less tactile feedback from the markers as they slide across the white board. Crayola makes white board markers that erase easily and are more like chalk tacitly and do not have the offensive odor of some of the markers. If using a chalkboard, it is recommended that you use chalk-holders. These make it so that regardless of the length of the chalk left, that the patient has a uniform object to hold. This encourages the gross motor movement out of the shoulder.

PROPER HAND GRASP: The grip used here should NOT be the type used when writing with a pen, pencil, or stylus on a horizontal or slightly tilted from the horizontal grip. It should be a 4 vs. 1 with the index finger pointed out along the length of the writing implement.

Have the patient select which eye, hand and the direction they would like to make the first circle with. In each instance, the first circle will be the reference that they will then try to keep the next time around directly onto. The reference circle should be fairly large and the center of the circle should be near the midline of the patient. They should not have to over-extend their arms and body to make it extremely large and it should be large enough that it requires a good bit of movement to make the circle. Giving exact sizes is difficult as we work with people of so many different sizes. Think along the lines of 80% or so of their full reach to the right, left, up, and down and you have an idea of the ideal size.

Once the reference “circle” (in parentheses as no one can make a “perfect” circle) has been made, then have them continue around 2-3 times, moving smoothly but fairly slowly attempting to keep the new marking directly over the reference marking.

This will help in many ways, but in particular, looking and directing action with sustained attention, over a wide volume of space.

During the 8-10 minutes this is done in-office, have them work with all combinations of eye, hand, and directions.

HOME PRACTICE: You may decide to have the patient practice this at home. Many patients do have an easel at home which can be used to perform this activity on. The tilt of most easels matches what we like to see when writing on a vertical surface and keeping ergonomics as comfortable as possible.