SEND Pencil Grips for Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dysgraphia

SEND pencil grips are small, shaped sleeves that slide onto a pencil or pen to guide finger position, reduce hand fatigue and support neater handwriting for learners with dyslexia, dyspraxia (DCD) and dysgraphia. Our UK range covers tripod, ergonomic, egg, jumbo and ambidextrous designs for children at home and pupils in SEND classrooms.

Read moreRead less

How do pencil grips help learners with dyslexia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia?

Dyslexia is primarily a language-based specific learning difficulty, but it frequently co-occurs with handwriting, fine-motor and hand-fatigue difficulties linked to dyspraxia (developmental co-ordination disorder) and dysgraphia. A well-chosen pencil grip cues the tripod finger position, reduces the pressure a child puts through the pencil, and keeps the hand in a more relaxed posture, so writing stays legible for longer. For pupils already working on letter formation, a grip removes one cognitive load and lets them focus on spelling and composition.

What types of SEND pencil grips are in this range?

Our range covers the full SEND handwriting journey, from early years through Key Stage 2 and beyond. The classic tripod-style Standard Pencil Grip is a low-cost starter for a class set. The Comfort Pencil Grip in soft foam suits smaller or less able fingers. The Jumbo Pencil-Pen Grip fits junior pencils and ball-point pens. The Ultra Pencil Grip and Large Ultra Pencil Grip are ambidextrous, with clear L and R thumb markers, and are widely used for dyspraxia and diminished grip. The Solo Pencil Grip and Egg-Ohs! grips target specific finger-strengthening and tripod-training goals.

How to choose the right pencil grip for a SEND learner

Start with the pencil itself: standard pencils need a standard-bore grip, junior pencils and pens need a jumbo-bore grip. Next, look at the child's finger strength and posture. A pupil who grips too tightly, tires quickly or shows a fisted grasp usually benefits from a larger, softer ergonomic grip with a defined thumb position, such as the Ultra Pencil Grip. A pupil who is still forming the tripod grasp benefits from a moulded grip with clear finger wells, such as the Solo or Egg-Ohs! For whole-class SEND provision, multi-packs let SENCOs trial several shapes and settle on the one that suits each pupil.

Pencil grips for schools, SENCOs and SEND classrooms

Schools, SENCOs and SEND practitioners use pencil grips as a low-cost, low-stigma reasonable adjustment under the SEND Code of Practice. They sit comfortably inside Wave 1 and Wave 2 classroom provision, alongside sloping boards, handwriting paper and handwriting programmes. Most of our grips come in packs of 5 or 10 so a SENCO can equip a cohort, rotate grips between pupils during trials, and top up from a single purchase order. Every school and organisation on our site gets a standard 30-day credit account.

Pencil grips for parents supporting a child with dyslexia or dyspraxia

For parents, a pencil grip is one of the simplest first steps when a child is struggling with handwriting at home. If your child complains that writing hurts, tires quickly, produces untidy letters or uses an awkward fisted grasp, a trial pack of two or three grip styles is a sensible starting point. Pair the grip with short, regular handwriting practice rather than long sessions, and consider a sloping board to improve wrist posture. If handwriting difficulties persist, speak to your child's SENCO or GP about a referral to an occupational therapist.

Need advice? Our SEND specialists are happy to help you pick the right grip for a child, a cohort or a whole SEND department. Email hello@thedyslexiashop.co.uk or call 01394 671 818.

Frequently asked questions

Do pencil grips actually help children with dyslexia?

Yes, indirectly. Dyslexia is a language-based specific learning difficulty, but it frequently co-occurs with handwriting, fine-motor and hand-fatigue difficulties linked to dyspraxia or dysgraphia. A pencil grip does not treat dyslexia itself, but by supporting a relaxed tripod grasp and reducing hand fatigue, it lets a dyslexic learner focus their cognitive effort on spelling, word retrieval and composition rather than on holding the pencil.

Which pencil grip is best for dysgraphia?

For dysgraphia, the strongest options are ergonomic ambidextrous grips with clear thumb positions, such as the Ultra Pencil Grip and Large Ultra Pencil Grip. They encourage an open, relaxed hand, reduce the over-gripping common in dysgraphia, and support both left- and right-handed writers. Pair the grip with a sloping board and wider-lined handwriting paper for the best results.

Which pencil grip is best for dyspraxia (DCD)?

Children with dyspraxia (developmental co-ordination disorder) often benefit from a larger, softer grip with defined finger positions, because they give the hand something concrete to line up against. The Ultra Pencil Grip, Large Ultra Pencil Grip and Solo Pencil Grip all suit dyspraxia well. Occupational therapists often recommend trialling two or three shapes to find the one that reduces tension fastest.

What age are these pencil grips suitable for?

Our grips cover EYFS through to secondary school and adult use. Jumbo and egg-shaped grips suit younger children still building finger strength. Ultra and Large Ultra grips suit older pupils, secondary students and adults with writing fatigue, diminished grip or co-ordination difficulties. Match the grip bore to the pencil or pen first, then the shape to the child's finger strength.

Can SENCOs and schools order pencil grips on a purchase order?

Yes. Every school, multi-academy trust and SEND organisation on our site has a standard 30-day credit account, so SENCOs and finance teams can order by official purchase order and pay later. Email hello@thedyslexiashop.co.uk or order directly on the site. Free UK shipping on orders over £100.

How do I know if my child needs a pencil grip?

Common signs include complaining that writing hurts, tiring quickly during written work, producing untidy or inconsistent letters, pressing too hard on the paper, using a fisted or thumb-wrapped grasp, or avoiding written tasks. If these signs persist, a pencil grip is a sensible first step. Speak to your child's SENCO or GP about a referral to an occupational therapist if handwriting difficulties continue.

Do pencil grips fit standard pencils and pens?

Most standard-bore grips, including our Standard Pencil Grip, Comfort Pencil Grip, Ultra Pencil Grip and Solo Pencil Grip, fit normal-diameter pencils. For thicker junior pencils and ball-point pens, use a jumbo-bore grip such as the Jumbo Pencil-Pen Grip. Always check the product description for bore size before ordering a class set.