My understanding is that, to get the full benefit, you discontinue all other handwriting practice, including copywork. My guide suggests doing the Writing 8’s exercise for 3 months before introducing cursive. Personally, I have stopped most writing for my son (12) until we have completed at least the first three months of therapy. We are doing only drawn and oral narrations. He will start a Dianne’s writing program recommendations next term. I really wanted to devote the next few months to the therapy exercises and make that our primary focus.
In case you have not done any of these type exercises before, I will warn you that it is exhausting for some children. We make sure to do this at the beginning of the day and take a break in between other studies. His first subject after break, I make sure it is something less mentally taxing, usually a short devotional book he enjoys or a free-read book. My son is doing this along with a series of other brain integration exercises so his exhaustion may be different than if you are doing only the Writing 8’s. I have done the exercises with him and can attest that they are draining.
