For Other Professionals
Dysgraphia: More Than Just Bad Handwriting
Teachers and parents should suspect dysgraphia if a child's handwriting is unusually difficult to read. Find out more about this neurological problem that can cause physical pain as some children struggle to write.
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing.
Writing is not an easy skill. Not only does it require the ability to organize and express ideas in the mind. It also requires the ability to get the muscles in the hands and fingers to form those ideas, letter by letter, on paper.
Experts say teachers and parents should suspect dysgraphia if a child's handwriting is unusually difficult to read. Letters might be sized or spaced incorrectly. Capital letters might be in the wrong places. The child's hand, body or paper might be in a strange position. These can all be signs of dysgraphia. Spelling problems can also be related to the disorder.
Many people have poor handwriting, but dysgraphia is more serious. Dsygraphia is a neurological disorder that generally appears when children are first learning to write. Writing by hand can be physically painful for people who have it. There are different kinds of dysgraphia. And it can appear with other learning disabilities, especially involving language.
Experts are not sure what causes it. But they say early treatment can help prevent or reduce many problems. For example, special exercises can increase strength in the hands and improve muscle memory. This is training muscles to remember the shapes of letters and numbers.
Children can try a writing aid like a thick pencil to see if that helps. Schools can also provide simple interventions like more time to complete writing activities or assistance from a note taker. Teachers could have students with dysgraphia take tests by speaking the answers into a recorder, or type their work instead of writing it.
Children with dysgraphia might be able to avoid the problems of handwriting by using a computer. Yet experts say they could still gain from special instruction to help them organize their thoughts and put them into writing. Such skills become more important as children get older and schoolwork becomes more difficult.
Steinbach, Nancy (Writer) and Ember, Steve (Reporter). (2008, Feb. 6). Dysgraphia: More Than Just Bad Handwriting. Voice of America. Retrieved from: http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2008-02/2008-02-06-voa2.cfm.
Hi, sorry, I should have explained, that I am an international author on Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and other Specific Learning Difficulties. I have five books published on these subjects.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Dysgrafia? Oh, good grief. Does every peccadillo have to be turned into a syndrome?
I guesss if there's federal aid money to be had for every last little imperfection, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It's a shame that we live in a world where every fourth kid has to be turned into a Ritalin induced zombie. One wonder how we got along for the last 50,000 years without it.
Posted by: John | May 04, 2010 03:41 PMIf it is indeed true that ignorance is bliss then the previous post (John; May 4,2010) is and will remain ever blissful
Posted by: Sean | October 30, 2010 11:20 AMAh, but John, we didn't used to write 50,000 years ago!
Posted by: Maria Chivers - Dyslexia A2Z | November 23, 2010 07:07 AMComing from an Occupational Therapist who works with children every day, this is a diagnosis that fits several children who have no other explanation for their difficulties. I appreciate the research that has gone into categorizing this disability, and the recommendations that are generated as a result. This information really helps these kids get the services and support they need to succeed. We are MUCH better off then we were even 100 years ago.
Posted by: Becky | December 16, 2010 12:45 PMi have disgraphia and belive me its no joke. im a senior in highschool and i write as good as a fifth grader, i dont even know how to do essay structure because it effects my cognative understanding of writing formats. so if you think its just another "syndrome" you my friend are mistaken it mentally drains you so much you have no idea.
Posted by: jonathan | April 14, 2011 11:02 PMThis is the first time posting ever. I was so shocked by John's post on May 4, 2010 that I cringed at such ignorance. A series of questions ran through my mind? Yhe first was is he working with students? The second question he raised why was he on this site? As a parent of a child with ADD, Dsylexia and Dysgraphia, I would hate to have him trying to teach my child. The problem is many people dont understand the extent of learning disabilities and have lumped them all together. Ritalin has a place in the regime to help a variety of children though everyone is not helped by ritalin. I want to commend Jonathan for advocating for himself and his cause. It will be even more important as he moves into the world of work. Based on the severity of my son's disability, I began to pursue teaching because too many individuals don't have a clue regarding the extent of the problems students with learning disabilities encounter. I'm clear many ld students can be helped as long as people like John are educated,too.
Posted by: Cass | June 13, 2011 11:54 AMI am an occupational therapist as well. While I do agree that more research into dysgraphia is good and more is still needed, I do find that there are times when the diagnosis is just thrown on as a label for the student without really looking into whether it is a learning disability or whether it is under-developed fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual skills and lack of proper instruction on handwriting formation which I find more and more often in schools as teaching is moving away from thebasics to make room for teachign to standardized tests. I also commend Jonathan for standing up for himself and others with similar dificulties to an ignorant person like John.
Posted by: Andrea | June 28, 2011 11:29 AMThank you for the recommendations. I have a student who has Dysgraphia. I was clueless about what this even meant until I read this article and the comments of Jonathon. Thank you for the insight. My perspective has changed about my student.
Posted by: Ursula | November 14, 2011 09:37 AMI have a son that has greatly improved by learning how to play an instrument. I took him out of his dysgraphia classes in the 6th grade and gave him a clarinet. He went from F's to making A's and B's. He has even earned a scholarship for college without the use of a computer. His writing is now legible. Musical instruments are great for retraining the brain through eye hand cordination. Begin learning an instrument as soon as you can. You will see and feel the difference. Also, don't let anyone talk you out of it. There have been many studies on how playing an instrument can improve any form of dyslexia. I should know as dyslexia runs throughout our family and everyone here plays an instrument.
Posted by: Alison | May 15, 2012 11:56 AM
Comments
Dysgraphia is as you say more than bad handwriting, but there are many things you can do to help. Pencil grips are brilliant because you cannot fail to hold the pen in the correct way. There is also a pen call 'PenAgain ErgoSof Pen', which is brilliant and children (and adults) like it. Looks totally different than a pen - feels nice to handle and you are holding it correctly. There are other things that can help. I will be happy to add any more, if anyone is interested.
Posted by: Maria Chivers - Dyslexia A2Z | April 26, 2010 04:43 PM