"With over 20 years of occupational therapy experience, author and mentor Cheri Dotterer is zealous about the how we learn. Pediatrics has always been her passion and love. Her favorite part of practice is seeing the ""light bulb"" go on in the mind of parents, teachers, and children. Cheri has made it her mission to help parents and teachers inspire children to transform the children's perspective on learning through easy-to-implement techniques teachers and parents can use to improve motivation in the classroom and at home. Cheri brings with her years of research and education. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both Biochemistry and Occupational Therapy and later a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. In addition, she holds a certificate as a Board-Certified Educational Advocate and Neuroscience Coach. Furthermore, she has worked alongside several universities creating unique experiences for OT students and organizations in the practice of occupational therapy through adjunct faculty and guest lecturer positions. Cheri sees the world from a non-traditional perspective. She has a private practice in Pennsylvania and lives with her husband of 27 years, their two children, and their cat, Snowball. Discovering a method of using motion to improve spelling and vocabulary, Cheri is now a Dysgraphia Consultant and author."
FOREWORD In her famous TED talk, the late Rita Pierson said, Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be. In Handwriting Brain-Body Disconnect, Cheri Dotterer makes it clear that she is that champion as she navigates you through the maze of dysgraphia. This journey of understanding took Cheri many years, so you are not left to figure this it out on your own. Her personal insight and practical advice ensure you won't go it alone. Cheri shares her story about how she personally navigated this process. She's lived it. Now she makes sure you know exactly what steps to take. This book is about more than finding a way to help with dysgraphia. It's about finding a way for all of us to work through our invisible challenges. Unlocking dysgraphia is just a result when you care for those you serve. Cheri's content is clear, concise, and an easy read for parents, and it's packed with content for therapists Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect and teachers. Cheri wants you to see results, and these steps will get you there. I'm excited for you because in my conversations with Cheri about learning differences, I know the content in this book will give you the answers you've been seeking. As an educator for over 20 years, I am passionate about finding ways for all children to learn. I believe this content will give parents hope that their children will be able to do far above what they even believed possible. Anita M. McLaurin, M. Ed. Specialty Curriculum Design and Development Author of My Father Said I Could ENDORSEMENTS Cheri gives us a much-needed resource for children who struggle with written expression, and for the parents and teachers who work with them. Her unique and in-depth perspective sheds new light on a very misunderstood phenomenon. -Cristina Urban, MS, OTR/L, parent of a child with dysgraphia An eye-opening resource! Cheri presents the information in such an understandable and flowing manner for parents, teachers, and therapists. She breaks down and explains the types of dysgraphia with the focus on building those neural pathways. I also appreciate her transparency with sharing her own struggles. -Jorge Ochoa, OTR/L Cheri is an exceptional speaker and a very good communicator. Truly enjoyed her presentation and everyone was enlightened by her knowledge of Dysgraphia. Working on a hands-on activity during her speech set the learning process in motion for the group. We will invite Cheri back. -Andee Swoyer, Community leader