Dysgraphia A SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY INVOLVING WRITTEN EXPRESSION

Dysgraphia  According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America, dysgraphia is “A specific learning disability that affects a person’s handwriting ability and fine motor skills. Problems may include illegible handwriting, inconsistent spacing, poor spatial planning on paper, poor spelling, and difficulty composing writing as well as thinking and writing at the same time.”

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What does Dysgraphia look like as students get older? From a#/media/File:Dysgraphia.jpg

Three Types of Dysgraphia *The Dysgraphia Source Book by Ben Bryce, MAT Dyslexic Dysgraphia A person with dyslexic dysgraphia (sometimes called processing dysgraphia) can copy text, color and draw close to normal. However, spelling words out loud (oral spelling) is below age level and written text is illegible (unreadable). This type of dyslexia is caused by issues with the orthographic loop. The orthographic loop helps with temporary memory and permanent memorization of words and letters. Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Locations ).. Kindle Edition. Motor Dysgraphia A person with motor dysgraphia can color, draw and paint within normal boundaries but has trouble with all written work, included copied work. They may also have trouble with other fine motor skills like opening water bottles, manipulating pencils, or tying shoes. Motor dysgraphia is caused by poor fine motor skills. Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Locations ).. Kindle Edition. Spatial Dysgraphia Drawing, coloring and painting are always below normal with spatial dysgraphia. Handwriting is illegible with unevenly spaced and sized letters. This type of dysgraphia is caused by the brain having problems with evaluating what the eyes are seeing and how objects are positioned relative to each other. Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Locations ).. Kindle Edition.

Dyslexic Dysgraphia  A person with dyslexic dysgraphia (sometimes called processing dysgraphia) can copy text, color and draw close to normal. However, spelling words out loud (oral spelling) is below age level and written text is illegible (unreadable). This type of dyslexia is caused by issues with the orthographic loop. The orthographic loop helps with temporary memory and permanent memorization of words and letters.  Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Locations ).. Kindle Edition.

Motor Dysgraphia  A person with motor dysgraphia can color, draw and paint within normal boundaries but has trouble with all written work, included copied work. They may also have trouble with other fine motor skills like opening water bottles, manipulating pencils, or tying shoes. Motor dysgraphia is caused by poor fine motor skills.  Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Locations ).. Kindle Edition.

Spatial Dysgraphia  Drawing, coloring and painting are always below normal with spatial dysgraphia. Handwriting is illegible with unevenly spaced and sized letters. This type of dysgraphia is caused by the brain having problems with evaluating what the eyes are seeing and how objects are positioned relative to each other.  Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Locations ).. Kindle Edition.

Dysgraphia and Dyslexia  The primary difference between Dyslexia and Dysgraphia is one of intake versus output  Both can be problems related to processing issues within the orthographic loop; however,  Dyslexia symptoms are referenced in relation to intake, and  Dysgraphia symptoms are referenced in relation to output  A student can have Dyslexic Dysgraphia – Dysgraphia related to problem taking in information because of Dyslexia

Imagine you were diagnosed with Dysgraphia at age 5… How would it affect your education? As a student with Dysgraphia, I might be able to see, understand, and read well, but when I attempt to express myself through writing, I can’t demonstrate my understanding very well at all. This might lead teachers to believe that I have not really grasp the material. It might lead to grades that don’t reflect my understanding of the material. It might lead to cover material over and over that I already understand. And it would certainly lead to frustration.

Imagine you were diagnosed with Dysgraphia at age 5… How would it affect you socially? As it takes me longer to complete my work, due to my dysgraphia, other students and children might treat me as if I don’t understand things that I do. This could lead to miscommunications, making social interactions more difficult and frustrating. I also might be embarrassed to write notes to my friends. Drawing also might be exceptionally difficult for me, making me feel left out in art class.

Imagine you were diagnosed with Dysgraphia at age 5… What would your plans be after high school? My plans after high school would hopefully not include tasks that involve a lot of written expression. Having a career like being a sales person might be a good fit, but paperwork and reports would drive me nuts.

Imagine you were diagnosed with Dysgraphia at age 5… What career would you choose and why? I would likely choose a career like sales where there is a lot of direct personal interaction and less written expression required than some other fields. I would have to be mindful of paperwork, allow extra time for it, and figure out ways to cope with or work around my disability as necessary.

Imagine you were diagnosed with Dysgraphia at age 5… How might the disability affect your family? My family would need to understand my disability. I might need their assistance in completing tasks that require written expression. Nonetheless, they might become frustrated that my grocery list, and other written expression, always takes longer to create, and is not always easy to read.

Imagine you were diagnosed with Dysgraphia at age 5… What kind of accommodations would you need at school? At work? At school, I might need extra time to complete written work, I should probably sit at the front of the class near the board or overhead projector, and receiving a copy of outline from the teacher or someone else’s notes would probably be helpful. As an adult in the workplace, I might consider requesting information early, working in a team environment with a partner who is an excellent writer, and allowing myself extra time to complete written work.

Interventions and Accommodations  For all three types of Dysgraphia  Start early  Give extra time  Use visual organizers  Use assistive technology – the keyboard removes the burden of remembering how to shape letters  Alternate assignments for essays

Interventions and Accommodations  Spatial Dsygraphia  Possible modifications depend on your child, your child’s school and the school’s budget. Common modifications include providing lined paper for all tasks and providing a computer or tablet for some work.  Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Locations ).. Kindle Edition.

Interventions and Accommodations  Motor Dysgraphia  One of the first steps you can take to help your child write correctly is by ensuring that they are holding the pencil the right way. The best or most effective way to hold a pencil is called a dynamic tripod grasp.  Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Locations ).. Kindle Edition.

Modifications and Accommodations  Dyslexic Dysgraphia  Children with dyslexic dysgraphia have trouble with temporary memory and permanent memorization of words and letters. Bryce MAT, Ben ( ). The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child (Kindle Location 363).. Kindle Edition.  Break writing down into steps  Avoid timed tests  Use software