In this article, we explore what dysgraphia is, the signs of dysgraphia, and the support that is available.
Researchers estimate that between 5-20% of people have dysgraphia. The reason for the large, estimated range is because dysgraphia can often go undiagnosed, or be misdiagnosed, for example as dyslexia.
Dysgraphia is commonly thought to be a form of dyslexia; however, it is actually a separate learning difficulty. The two learning difficulties often coexist which can be a contributing factor to the confusion.
Dysgraphia is a learning difficulty that affects writing skills. Unlike dyslexia, dysgraphia also affects the physical act of writing, and can cause problems with forming letters, writing legibility, keeping within the lines and following the page. For example, when reaching the end of a line, instead of beginning a new one an individual with dysgraphia may continue to write down the edge of the page. Individuals with dysgraphia may also have difficulty noting down their thoughts on paper, despite being able to articulate them perfectly.
This video from Dyslexic Advantage explains the learning difficulty in more detail:
Dysgraphia that occurs in childhood is known as developmental dysgraphia, whereas dysgraphia that occurs in adulthood is known as acquired dysgraphia. But what causes the condition?
Acquired dysgraphia often occurs as a result of a brain injury, trauma, or certain medical conditions.
The exact causes of developmental dysgraphia are unknown however, research suggests there may be a genetic link. Research has also shown that impaired orthographic coding is common in individuals with dysgraphia. The International Dyslexia Association define orthographic coding as: “…the ability to store written words in working memory while the letters in the word are analysed, or, the ability to create permanent memory of written works linked to their pronunciation and meaning.”
Additionally, dysgraphia also commonly occurs alongside other learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
So, what are the signs that an individual may have dysgraphia?
The most common signs of dysgraphia include:
It can be difficult to receive a confirmed diagnosis of dysgraphia, as the symptoms can overlap with other learning difficulties.
Unless an individual is seeking a diagnosis of acquired dysgraphia in later life due to an injury, trauma or disease, the process of getting a diagnosis typically occurs in primary school as this is when signs first become noticeable.
Once any physical conditions have been ruled out, a specialist psychologist will ask the individual to carry out several assessments, including a written test and an activity to test fine motor skills.
The outcome of these assessments will then be used to confirm a dysgraphia diagnosis.
Whilst a diagnosis can be beneficial throughout education and work life, it is not vital to succeeding. With or without a diagnosis, there is lots of help and support available to help manage the difficulties that individuals with the condition experience.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for dysgraphia and simply continuing to practice handwriting will not lead to significant improvement. However, there are some techniques that can be used to help remember the formation of certain letters, or the spelling of certain words, for example, mnemonics or rhymes.
Throughout their education, individuals with dysgraphia should be provided with extra support, for example, extra time during exams, or the use of assistive technology such as speech-to-text software. Other adjustments that could be made for children and young adults with dysgraphia in educational settings include the opportunity to present their work in different formats (for example through videos or voice recordings and using paper with raised lines and adapted writing utensils such as larger pencils, or pens with special grips.
At work, employers should make reasonable adjustments in the workplace to support any employees with learning difficulties. Read more on how employers can support employees with learning disabilities and learning difficulties.
At Northern Healthcare, our teams provide bespoke support to individuals with learning difficulties. Our teams work together with our residents to identify tools and techniques to support them.
We also work in close partnership with a range of external organisations and professionals, enabling us to offer more specialised support if required.
Find out more about our support model and how we support our residents with learning disabilities and learning difficulties.
Photo by lilartsy on Unsplash.
