DYSGRAPHIA

What is dysgraphia? How can lessons be adapted for

students with dysgraphia?

What is Dysgraphia?
Symptoms of Dysgraphia

Visual-Spatial Difficulties

- Has trouble organizing words on a page

- Writes letters and words that run together
- Has difficulty writing on lines
- Copies text slowly

Fine Motor Difficulties

- Has difficulty holding a pencil correctly,

tracing, tying shoes, using scissors, etc.
- Holds wrist, body, arm, or paper awkwardly
while writing

Language Processing Issues

- Has trouble getting ideas down on paper

- Has a hard time following directions
- Easily loses train of thought

Spelling & Grammar Issues

- Has difficulty understanding spelling rules

- Is able to spell correctly orally but makes
errors in writing
- Has trouble telling if a word is misspelled
- Spells words incorrectly and in many different
ways
- Has trouble using proper punctuation
- Writes run-on sentences

Organization of Written Language

- Has difficult telling a story from start to end

- Leaves out important facts and details or
provides too much information
- Uses vague descriptions
- Makes the same point over and over
- Is better and conveying ideas when speaking

Dysgraphia is a brain-based learning disorder that causes trouble with written or

artistic expression. Written expression refers to anything involving spelling,
handwriting, and composition. Writing requires a complex set of fine motor skills
and language processing skills and children with dysgraphia will find the process
of writing to be difficult and time-consuming. A child diagnosed with dysgraphia
will have difficulty with spelling, putting ideas into organized language, and
putting organized thoughts onto paper.

What Causes Dysgraphia?

Experts are not sure what causes dysgraphia. Typically, before the writing process
begins, information is retrieved from short-term or long-term memory, it is
organized, and these thoughts are written or typed. It is believed that a child with
dysgraphia cannot properly complete all or any these steps (organizing
information that is stored in memory and inputting words onto paper). This
disjunct results in a written product that is filled with errors, difficult to read, and
does not convey what the child intended to write.

What Skills are Affected by Dysgraphia?

Academic Skills

Children with dysgraphia can fall behind in schoolwork because the writing
process takes longer than the writing process of children who do not have
dysgraphia.

Basic Life Skills

Some children with dysgraphia have weak fine-motor skills, which makes it difficult
for them to do everyday tasks, such as: tying shoes, buttoning shirts, using
scissors, cutting food, typing, texting, etc.

Social-Emotional Skills

Children with dysgraphia may become frustrated with the challenges they face in
their academic and day-to-day life. They may become discouraged in school and
stop taking notes or avoid assignments that involve writing. These factors may
cause stress, low self-esteem, frustration, and communications problems.

How is Dysgraphia Diagnosed?

Dysgraphia is diagnosed through a series of academic assessments and writing

tests. These tests and assessments are designed to measure fine motor skills and
written expression. The finished product is assessed for spelling, grammar,
punctuation, and the quality of ideas presented. The writing process assessment
also includes observations on the childs posture, position, pencil grip, fatigue,
and signs of hand cramping. Fine motor skills may also be tested through finger
tapping and wrist turning.