Dysgraphia is a learning disability, which affects writing that requires a complex set of information processing and motor skills. This condition makes the act of writing tough and can even lead to problems such as poor handwriting, putting thoughts on paper, and spelling. Individuals suffering from the condition may have difficulty in recognizing numbers, letters, and words in a page or line. Furthermore, this condition may result to language processing difficulty and visual spatial difficulties.
Out of all learning disabilities, dysgraphia can last a lifetime if left untreated, although the way it manifest can change over time. Children with dysgraphia can benefit from accommodations of specific learning environment.
Symptoms of dysgraphia vary from person to person, and merely having a bad writing does not mean that a person is suffering from the condition. Also, difficulties can change throughout a lifetime as the condition is processing disorder. Children can also learn the motor skills needed to writing over time as writing is a developmental process.
The 7 Most Common Symptoms of Dysgraphia in Young Children
Parents can determine signs of the condition in their children at an early age. Young children can have trouble with:
1. Awkward, tight pencil grip and acquiring good body position when writing
2. Difficulty in forming letters
3. Avoiding drawing and writing tasks
4. Poor understanding between lowercase and uppercase letters
5. Getting tired quickly when drawing
6. Inability to draw or write within margins or in a line
7. Inconsistent spacing between words and letters
The 6 Most Common Symptoms of Dysgraphia in School-Age Children
1. Illegible handwriting
2. Saying words when writing
3. Mixture of print and cursive writing
4. Trouble of thinking for words to write
5. Concentrating too much in writing resulting missing comprehension of what is being written
6. Omitting words and not finishing sentences
The 4 Most Common Symptoms of Dysgraphia in Teens and Adults
1. Trouble in organizing thoughts on paper
2. Difficulties with grammar and syntax structure
3. Difficulties to understanding written ideas demonstrated through speech
4. Trouble in keeping track of thoughts that have been already written down
3 Different Catagories For Dysgraphia Treatment
There are plenty of approaches that can be made to help an individual with dysgraphia. Generally, these strategies in treating dysgraphia fall into three different categories:
1. Accommodations
Providing dysgraphia sufferers with alternatives to written expression.
2. Remediation
Improving handwriting and writing skills of an individual with dysgraphia through proving easy to understand instruction.
3. Modifications
Changing tasks to avoid or minimize the area of weakness.
Parents, tutors, and educators should consider each type of strategy when planning for instruction and support to a child with dysgraphia. Also, an individual suffering from the condition can benefit from the help of the person close to them and a specialist. Finding the best beneficial support to your child is a process of trying out different ideas, and talking to professionals about your thoughts on what may work best.
Dysgraphia is a learning or developmental disability, but there a huge chance of success in treating the condition. With proper treatment strategy and giving your child with emotional support, he/she can overcome the disability over time.
