Please join us in welcoming Leslie Catlett, MS, OTR/L to the podcast! Leslie is the founder of The Penmanship Lab, where she helps children develop confident, functional handwriting skills that support real learning. As a pediatric occupational therapist and mom of two, she approaches handwriting challenges by looking beyond neatness to understand the deeper factors affecting each child. Leslie specializes in working with children with ADHD, dysgraphia, dyslexia, and autism, creating individualized, engaging strategies that make writing more accessible and meaningful. She holds a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is deeply committed to inclusive, strengths-based learning environments.

In our conversation, we discuss the complexity of handwriting and why it's so often misunderstood, with Leslie explaining that handwriting isn't just a fine motor task but a full-body, brain-heavy activity that involves posture, attention, memory, sensory processing, and emotional regulation all at the same time. For neurodivergent learners, including children with ADHD, dysgraphia, dyslexia, or autism, handwriting can be truly exhausting, frustrating, and even overwhelming, and it's rarely a matter of laziness or lack of effort.

We discuss the misconceptions that slow progress signals a lack of motivation or that kids will simply "grow out of it," and why traditional practice alone often makes matters even worse. Leslie highlights how occupational therapy addresses handwriting differently by building foundational skills first, from posture and core strength to visual motor coordination and sensory regulation, before layering on handwriting itself. Progress isn't just about neater writing; it shows up first as reduced frustration, more confidence, and increased endurance.

In our conversation, we also talk about practical ways parents and educators can support handwriting and fine motor development at home, with Leslie highlighting the importance of short, successful practice sessions, movement breaks, and incorporating skills into play via crafts, cooking, outdoor activities, or even Lego building. Leslie also discusses when it's time to seek professional help, pointing out that handwriting struggles often impact self-esteem, school performance, and emotional regulation.

We explore the purpose behind the Penmanship Lab itself, with Leslie having created it to provide one-on-one support for children who aren't getting enough guidance in school and to help parents feel empowered rather than guilty when their child struggles. She shares how addressing handwriting early can support not only academic success but also everyday independence, from buttoning shirts to tying shoes. Our conversation offers a practical guide for anyone wanting to understand, support, and celebrate children's unique learning needs!

Show Notes:

[2:30] - Handwriting is complex - requiring motor, sensory, attention, memory, and endurance skills simultaneously.
[5:19] - Hear how dysgraphia stems from neurological differences, so practice alone doesn't improve handwriting without foundational support.
[8:42] - Leslie discusses how handwriting engages the brain differently than typing, often improving confidence and emotional regulation first.
[10:56] - Leslie explains how short, playful activities and motor work strengthen handwriting skills and maintain student engagement.
[13:19] - Hear how early intervention can help prevent frustration.
[16:16] - Short, daily handwriting practice improves skills, confidence, and behavior without causing parental blame.
[18:32] - Leslie reveals how The Penmanship Lab fills gaps schools leave, providing one-on-one handwriting support for literacy development.
[20:10] - Daily self-care tasks rely on fine motor skills, linking handwriting to broader functional independence.

Links and Related Resources:

• Episode 39: Why Fine Motor Skills Matter with Jennifer Morgan

• Episode 219: Understanding Dysgraphia: Signs, Strategies, and Support for Struggling Writers

Connect with Leslie:

• The Penmanship Lab's Website

• Email: thepenmanshiplab@gmail.com

I am so happy to welcome Dr. Ellen Braaten back for her third time on the show! In case you missed those episodes and/or need a refresher, Dr. Ellen Braaten is the founding director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. She is a prolific researcher and author whose work focuses on ADHD, learning disorders, child psychopathology, processing speed, intelligence, and children's motivation, including bestselling books for parents and professionals. Deeply committed to public education, she frequently speaks on child mental health topics and contributes to both local and national media.

In our conversation, we talk about why unmotivated kids rarely fit neatly into a single category, with Dr. Braaten explaining that children may struggle with motivation for a variety of reasons, such as cognitive overload, emotional fatigue, repeated failure, or even a lack of clear identity. She also explains why framing these challenges as brain-based skills, rather than personal failings, can help change the way parents and clinicians respond. We also discuss the narrowing of opportunities in schools today, why kids need space to discover their own strengths beyond academics and athletics, and how uncomfortable emotions such as shame, anxiety, or regret can silently block motivation.

Dr. Braaten's workbook is designed not just for children but for the adults supporting them, and she shares how parents, teachers, and therapists can use its activities to spark meaningful conversations, assess where a child gets stuck, and offer guidance without shame. It's about collaboration, not enforcement, and about helping kids take ownership of their growth while navigating setbacks safely.

This episode of the show will surely resonate with anyone supporting tweens and teens, whether you're a parent, educator, or clinician, and offers strategies to help young people (and even adults) rediscover what matters to them, reclaim their motivation, and move forward with confidence!

Show Notes:
[2:09] - Hear how Dr. Ellen Braaten realized poor motivation affects everyone, especially during stressful, sleep-deprived times.
[5:40] - Motivation consists of initiation, persistence, and desire, and can be treated as a learnable skill.
[7:56] - Dr. Braaten discusses how kids today struggle to find identity due to overwhelming choices and early specialization pressures.
[9:52] - Dr. Braaten argues that strengths extend beyond academics and sports, yet schools rarely provide opportunities to explore diverse talents.
[11:51] - Hear how setbacks, injuries, or missed guidance can lead to regret.
[13:44] - Breaking motivation into initiation, intensity, and persistence can help kids, parents, and clinicians clarify obstacles.
[16:28] - Dr. Braaten points out how even small changes, like better sleep, improve motivation.
[18:04] - Parents should balance support and independence, empowering children while preventing guilt or overwhelming hovering.
[21:18] - Anxiety and post-pandemic habits have reduced face-to-face engagement, creating cycles that undermine motivation.
[23:04] - Dr. Braaten's workbook is best used with adults as guides, sparking conversations about identity and priorities.
[26:05] - Hear how to contact Dr. Braaten.

Links and Related Resources:

• Episode 61: Slow Processing Speed with Dr. Ellen Braaten

• Episode 107: How to Motivate Kids Who Couldn't Care Less with Dr. Ellen Braaten

• Dr. Ellen Braaten & Hillary Bush - The Motivation Mindset Workbook: Helping Teens and Tweens Discover What They Love to Do

Connect with Dr. Ellen Braaten:

• Dr. Ellen Braaten's Website