Q-LED: Handwriting Approach in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Handwriting is linked to a variety of systems in the human brain and has been likewise demonstrated to be affected by a variety of neurological and developmental disorders.This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the use of writing aids (Qalamiy) and Light-emitting diode (LED) boards in improving the handwriting skills of autistic students to hold a pencil thus subsequently write correctly and to identify the effectiveness of the Q-LED intervention in improving the good practices of teachers.A case study was conducted to collect qualitative data using checklists, parent interviews and analysis of student's work.The respondents of the study are two students with moderate functional autism at SMK Jalan Paya Besar who faced difficulties in holding a pencil and writing correctly.A preliminary survey found that autistic students have difficulty holding a pencil properly and this affects the quality of writing in terms of the spacing and size between letters and words.Q-LED approach is an innovative intervention that is used to train handwriting skills among students with autism to hold a pencil and then write correctly.The results of the study found that the Q-LED approach successfully helped improve the ability to hold a pencil correctly and the quality of handwriting of autistic students in terms of the distance and size between letters and words.Overall, Q-LED approach was successful in helping autistic students to hold a pencil and write letters according to the correct method.Q-LED approach is one of the interventions that can be used by all teachers to improve the ability of autistic students to hold a pencil and write correctly in the teaching and learning process.