Today we’d like to introduce you to Marla Scaglione.
Marla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Everything in my life—every joy, detour, and hardship—has quietly prepared me for the work I now consider one of the greatest gifts of my life. One of my favorite quotes by Helen Keller says it best: “I am thankful for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.” That truth has unfolded again and again throughout my journey.
From the time I was five years old, dance was my first love. It shaped my discipline, creativity, and confidence, eventually leading me to become a high school dancerette and dream of one day dancing with the Rockettes. But during my junior year of high school, everything changed. A devastating car accident left me with severe injuries to my foot and ankle, ending my dance career overnight. The teenage dream I fancied was gone.
What felt like an ending became a beginning. During a six-week hospital stay filled with reconstructive surgeries, I encountered physical and occupational therapy firsthand. Learning to walk again with crutches and receiving custom splinting between surgeries opened my eyes to a profession I had never considered before, but one that immediately felt like home. Even in pain and uncertainty, God was quietly redirecting my path.
I went on to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of South Florida and later completed my Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Florida International University, where I also met my husband, who also became an OT. Eventually, we returned home to Tampa, where we raised our three children and built a life rooted in faith, family, and service.
Motherhood deepened my calling. After deciding to homeschool my own kids, I became acutely aware of how many children were struggling beneath the surface with what I call invisible disabilities. Being an active volunteer in the homeschooling community allowed me to observe firsthand how unmet sensory, motor, and executive-function struggles were affecting children’s handwriting, confidence, learning, and joy.
That realization gave birth to A+ Handwriting Pediatric Occupational Therapy, where I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of children strengthen not only their handwriting skills, but also their self-esteem, emotional regulation, and ability to thrive in a busy sensory world. Over time, my practice evolved into something truly unique: a mobile pediatric occupational therapy practice operating out of a fully equipped therapy bus, lovingly named Miss Dot, and bringing movement, creativity, and healing directly to children in a way that feels fun, empowering, and nurturing to kids and convenient for busy parents.
With over 30 years of experience across diverse healthcare settings, along with specialized training in techniques to improve the foundational abilities needed to master the complex skill of handwriting, my work today blends neuroscience, psychology, creativity, and compassion. I feel blessed to be able to improve the trajectory of children’s lives and support parents on their journey, whether their educational choice is homeschool, private school, hybrid school, or public school. Also, along the way, I noticed a need for different handwriting teaching tools, so I developed several innovative handwriting products designed to support children’s needs through evidence based strategies for building A+ successful students.
Looking back, I see that every chapter – dance, injury, faith, motherhood, homeschooling, and service – was never accidental. Each step shaped a business model rooted not just in therapy, but in hope. My mission has always been simple: to help children discover and grow their God-given strengths, believe in themselves, and realize they are capable of far more than they ever imagined. And just like my own journey, sometimes the most beautiful vocations begin when life asks us to dance in a whole new way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road on my journey has definitely had many speed bumps along the way. From finding solutions for chronic pain (now mostly resolved) through the growth that happens with the typical struggles of young adulthood, all requiring perseverance, creativity, and humility, my journey has provided the needed skills which have helped me to steadfastly achieve my goals – all according to God’s plan.
As you know, we’re big fans of A+ Handwriting LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
A+ Handwriting LLC is a mobile pediatric occupational therapy and learning services practice designed to meet children and families where they are — literally and developmentally. Our signature feature is our one-of-a-kind therapy bus, a brightly decorated, fully equipped sensory gym on wheels that brings high-quality, individualized occupational therapy directly to neighborhoods, schools, homeschool communities, and families. Our mission is to help children build the foundational skills they need to succeed in learning and in life — while making therapy engaging, joyful, and empowering rather than stressful or clinical.
We specialize in handwriting development and remediation, learning readiness, sensory processing, executive functioning, and underlying developmental skills that impact academic and daily life success. While many practices focus only on surface-level academic performance, A+ Handwriting is known for addressing the root causes of struggles — including sensory integration, primitive reflexes, visual-motor integration, fine motor strength, postural control, coordination, attention, and emotional regulation.
We are especially recognized for our innovative handwriting tools and curriculum, including our proprietary KiSS Stencils (Kinesthetic Sequencing Stencils), adapted handwriting paper, and multisensory learning materials that make handwriting accessible for children with ADHD, learning differences, PDA profiles, anxiety, and sensory challenges.
What truly sets A+ Handwriting apart is our holistic, child-centered approach and our creative delivery model. The therapy bus is not just a convenient service for parents — it is a fully immersive sensory-motor learning environment designed to regulate the child’s nervous system, build confidence, and strengthen the body and brain before expecting higher-level skills like handwriting and academics. We blend clinical expertise with play, movement, and relationship-based therapy so children feel successful instead of pressured. Families often tell us their children can’t wait for Miss Dot to arrive.
We are most proud of building a brand that stands for looking beyond labels and seeing each child’s God-given potential. We are proud that A+ Handwriting is known not just for improving handwriting — but for restoring confidence, independence, and joy in learning for children who have often struggled in traditional settings.
We want readers to know that A+ Handwriting is about more than therapy — it is about changing the trajectory of a child’s life by strengthening the foundations that support learning, behavior, and self-esteem. Our goal is to make effective, research-based, and heart-centered support accessible to families. At A+ Handwriting, we believe that when you build the body and brain first, everything else — including handwriting, attention, and academic success — can flourish.
What matters most to you? Why?
I am passionate about giving children and families the ability to enjoy this life to it’s fullest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aplushandwriting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplushandwriting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aplushandwriting
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marla-scaglione/
Image Credits
I personally took each of these photos. Published with parent’s permission.
