Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia: General Information

Dysgraphia is a learning disability characterized by difficulties with writing. The symptoms vary from person to person, but generally fall under three categories: visual/spatial, fine motor, or language processing. Visual/spatial symptoms have to do with the inability to recognize the shapes that make up letters or numbers. Fine motor symptoms are problems related to forming the letters themselves, and language processing symptoms are an inability to find words or organize them correctly. The causes of dysgraphia are not yet fully understood, but there is evidence to suggest that it may be at least partly genetic. Dysgraphic people have the normal range of intelligences, but have difficulty putting their thoughts on paper. It is estimated that 15-20% of the population has some form of language-based learning disability, but the only way to be sure that someone has dysgraphia is to get them tested by a professional evaluator. This can be done by asking your child’s principal to get testing done, but if the principal is unwilling or the school has no money to get testing done, consider getting your child tested privately. It is worth noting that dysgraphia is often confused with dyslexia by people who do not often deal with learning disabilities: if your child tests negative for dyslexia, it does not mean they do not have dysgraphia! If your child is dysgraphic, it is recommended to have them checked for dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD, all of which are common co-morbid disorders.

Dysgraphia Indicators

•         difficulty spacing
•          trouble forming letters, numbers or basic shapes
•         awkward grip on pencil or stance when writing
•         inability to write between lines or margins
•          speaking aloud while writing
•          avoiding writing tasks
•         fatigue when writing: headaches, stomachaches

How Does Dysgraphia Affect Children?

Dysgraphic children find school extremely frustrating because their difficulties with writing slow them down in the classroom and lead to low academic performance. Since these students understand the materials they are learning, it is frustrating to be unable to translate their thoughts into written form and earn a corresponding mark. Sometimes this frustration translates into sullenness or strong emotional outbursts, especially when they feel that expectations are higher than they can meet. Peers who do not understand the difficulties dysgraphia presents can bully dysgraphic children, further contributing to social difficulties in school.

Dysgraphia in the Classroom

There are two main categories of strategies to help dysgraphic students in the classroom:

Accommodation: Providing alternatives to writing or changing expectations to reflect dysgraphic students’ capabilities. Examples include:

•          Oral presentations
•          Visual projects such as dioramas or videos
•          Speech-to-text conversion software
•          Photocopied notes (to minimize copying or note-taking in class)
•          Extended time on written assignments or tests
•          Opportunities to use word processors
•          Reduced emphasis on spelling and neatness when grading
•          Encourage use of abbreviations in note-taking situations
•          Use of fill-in-the-blank templates for notes, written assignments, etc.
•          Use of graphic organizers in written assignments

Remediation: Helping students improve their writing skills. Examples include:

•          Raised-line paper as a sensory guide to stay within the lines
•          Graph paper to help align rows and columns
•          Write letters in the air using large arm movements to improve motor memory
•          Use mnemonic devices to remember letter shapes (“b has a big belly”)
•          Create and trace letters in play-dough or other 3D mediums
•          Use cursive instead of printing - the fluid motion helps many students

Dysgraphia Resources

LDAA: Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta

http://www.ldalberta.ca

LD Online

http://www.ldonline.org/

National Center for Learning Disabilities

http://www.ncld.org

Resource Room

http://www.resourceroom.net/readspell/dysgraphia.asp