Dysgraphia Definition, What Is It, and How to Help Writing Skills for Kids
Does your child struggle with Dysgraphia or writing skills?
Dysgraphia affects a child’s handwriting and essay or paragraph writing abilities. It’s similar to dyslexia, but it impacts writing
Dysgraphia is a learning disability. It causes an otherwise smart child to have problems expressing themself well in writing. Often the child can express themself really well verbally, but writing is a whole different matter. Your child may struggle with handwriting, paragraph writing, and/or other writing skills.
The National Institute for Neurological Disorders says Dysgraphia is:
“Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder characterized by writing disabilities. The disorder causes a person’s writing to be distorted or incorrect. In children, the disorder generally emerges when they are first introduced to writing. They make poorly sized and spaced letters. They may write wrong or misspelled words, despite thorough instruction. Children with the disorder may have other learning disabilities, however, they usually have no social or other academic problems. In addition to poor handwriting, dysgraphia is characterized by wrong or odd spelling, and production of words that are not correct (i.e., using “boy” for “child”). The cause of the disorder is unknown.”
Dyslexia is difficulty with language. Dysgraphia is difficulty with writing. A child may have one problem, the other, or both problems at the same time!
Dysgraphia is caused by problems with processing information, organizing thoughts, and getting words written on paper. Kids with dysgraphia are likely to hate writing. They may be diagnosed with fine motor skill issues, executive functioning difficulties, working memory or processing problems, or other areas of difficulty when evaluated comprehensively for their learning struggles.
A child with dysgraphia may not even be able to think of what they want to write. They may have difficulty pulling their thoughts together while facing the difficult task of putting their thoughts on paper. That’s because writing requires handwriting skills, the ability to remember which letters represent which sounds, how to spell words, how to structure sentences, and then to actually hold all of that in their head while physically writing down what they’re thinking. The same child may be able to express themself quite well when talking or asked a question. However, the child’s brain may shutdown and they may seem unable to write at a level that reflects their thoughts.
You can note differences in a child’s verbal and written functioning that can shed light on the gap between verbal and written abilities.
For example: Your child may talk using long sentences such as, “The Apatosaurus was a gigantic dinosaur even though it was a herbivore.” However, the child is likely to write, “The dino was big.” When writing is so difficult for a struggling child, they’ll write as little as possible!
If your child has poor writing skills, the information and programs linked to below will help you help your child. You’ll find information about handwriting skills, paragraph writing, and other writing related topics.
For More About Dysgraphia and Writing Skills – See these other pages on our website:
A Resource page for improving your child’s Writing Skills using special Writing Programs. (These are especially helpful if you homeschool a Child with Dysgraphia or Dyslexia).
Learning Handwriting : Options for Teaching a Child who has poor handwriting skills.
Composition Writing and paragraph writing for Kids who struggle with writing.
Improve Writing Skills in Kids with Dysgraphia.
IEP Goals for Written Expression or Composition Writing Skills.
Writing IEP Goals for Keyboarding and Copying: for Handwriting problems.
Does your child have a writing disability?.
Writing Assistive Technology for Kids with Writing Difficulties.
If you have already identified the cause of your child’s writing skills problems and just need HELP, there’s a great new book out that cuts out a lot of the theory to provide practical advice on how to help your child. Check Out Dysgraphia: Your Essential Guide.
There is also an excellent article on the International Dyslexia Association website. It’s called, “Just the Facts.. What is Dysgraphia?“. There is also helpful information at LDOnline.
