Unlocking classroom participation for all students
As a new school year begins, classrooms are once again buzzing with energy, creativity, and limitless potential. For many students, this is a season of fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and exciting new challenges. Yet for students with limited hand mobility, fully participating in these experiences can feel out of reach. Writing notes, drawing pictures, or even using a touchscreen device are simple tasks for most, but they can become significant barriers that prevent students from engaging with the curriculum and expressing themselves.
This is where Guided Hands® makes all the difference. In the classroom, the impact is powerful. Guided Hands® allows students with limited hand mobility to access the full curriculum by making writing and drawing possible with independence. It also enables students to participate in technology-based learning alongside their peers, which not only supports academic development but also strengthens confidence and social inclusion.
For educators, Guided Hands® reduces the strain of providing hand-over-hand support and decreases the need for costly one-on-one assistance, giving teachers and support staff more capacity to focus on instruction and student engagement. Occupational therapists and special education teams have found it invaluable in helping students reach their client-centered goals and communicate independently.
The results speak for themselves. Guided Hands® is already transforming learning in more than 427 schools worldwide.
Dr. JaneRita Nwako, a physical therapist at A Harry Moore School in New Jersey, says Guided Hands® has been nothing short of transformative. Her school first received the device after winning a contest. “We couldn’t be luckier,” JaneRita recalls. “It’s been so helpful with a lot of our students who have spasticity, helping with control and hand movements, and being able to use it with paper, iPads, and AAC devices.”
JaneRita quickly saw how much students enjoyed using the device. “You can see the smiles on their faces when they're using Guided Hands. We even use it in groups sometimes when playing games. Students take turns and they’re always eager to participate. Our verbal students give us direct feedback, which helps us adapt the device for our nonverbal kids. That’s huge for us as therapists.”
She also noticed how the device boosted confidence and independence. “Some students request to use it during classwork. We play wordsearch games, and it definitely increases their confidence in their fine motor skills.” JaneRita describes the progress as remarkable: “The first day, it was trial and error, just scribbles all over the page. But by day 30, a student who once couldn’t make marks on the page is circling a word completely independently. That’s an incredible moment as a therapist.”
The impact extends beyond therapy. JaneRita explains that her colleagues across middle school, high school, and transition-to-adulthood programs now incorporate Guided Hands® into their lessons. “Educators see how much it helps their students engage and they want to integrate it into their activities. “Honestly, this device has really done wonders for the students,” JaneRita says.
Educators worldwide share stories of students who once relied entirely on assistance now proudly completing their work on their own. Special education teachers notice a visible increase in motivation, confidence, and independence among their students. Schools even report a 47 per cent reduction in the need for one-on-one support, proving that Guided Hands® not only empowers students but also eases the burden on educators and school budgets.
This back-to-school season, imagine the difference between a child sitting on the sidelines watching their peers, and a child proudly using a pencil, drawing a picture, or typing on a device all by themselves. Guided Hands® ensures that no child is left behind and that every student has the opportunity to learn, create, and thrive.
With Guided Hands®, schools can make curriculum accessible, promote independence, and foster inclusion, helping every child reach their true potential.
