DYSGRAPHIA
Did you know that :
The word dysgraphia is from Greek origin
- Dys ( impaired)
- Graphia ( letter form, hand or making letter forms by hand)
Dysgraphia is more than bad handwriting
Dysgraphia is a learning disability resulting from the difficulty in
expressing thoughts in writing and graphing.
Feifer’s 4 Subtypes of Dysgraphia
1. Phonological – Writing and spelling disturbances in which the spelling
of unfamiliar words, non-words and phonetically irregular words are
impaired.
2. Surface- Students have trouble with orthographic representations of
words.
3. Mixed- Students having trouble with mixing up letter and formations
and having trouble with spelling task.
4. Semantic / Syntactic- Students have difficulty with how words can be
joined to make complete and comprehensive phrases.
An example of a second grade student’s handwriting with dysgraphia
An example of a second grade student’s handwriting who does not have
disability
How learners with dysgraphia hold their pencils
CAUSES OF DSYGRAPHIA
Cases of dysgraphia in adults generally occur after some trauma. The
cause of the disorder is unknown, but in adults, it is usually
associated with damage to the parietal lobe of the brain.
WHAT TEACHERS SHOULD KNOW
Regardless of their reading ability, people with dysgraphia have
difficulty writing and may have problems with spelling, writing legibly,
or putting their thoughts on paper.
KIDS AND TEENS WITH DYSGRAPHIA MAY HAVE:
Poor- fine motor skills
Visual- spatial difficulties
Language- processing deficits
STUDENTS WITH DYSGRAPHIA MAY HAVE:
Frequently misspell words or incorrectly place words on a page.
Have an exceptionally slow and difficult time writing
Have an awkward pencil grip
STRATEGIES CAN HELP
Accommodations- providing alternatives to written expression
Modifications – changing expectations or tasks to minimize or avoid
the area of weakness.
Remediation – Providing instruction for improving handwriting skills
WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO
If you think a student might have dysgraphia, recommend seeking an
educational evaluation to a parent or guardian , an administrator or a
school counselor.
Writing is one of the most important keys to academic success. Give
students with dysgraphia a plenty of extra time to practice their
writing skills. Teach them how to organize thoughts and encourage
them to edit and proofread their work.
IF STUDENS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH HANDWRITING TRY ;
Using a graph paper or paper with raised lines.
Allow them to choose the writing utensils that they are comfortable
with.
Making sure the pencil is properly positioned, using a tripod grasp.
Modifying the writing utensils grip as needed.
Recommending occupational therapy to help with writing skills.
REMEMBER THIS ;
Don’t be afraid to make mistake , DO YOUR BEST.
Determine to see a MISTAKE as:
1. An opportunity to improve
2. A challenge to overcome
3. A reason to seek help or information
MISTAKES
That writers commonly make…. Can be corrected if you;
Stop telling yourself you can’t write or that you’re a bad writer and
Start noticing the mistakes and
Start working to correct them
