What Is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a neurological condition in which a person struggles to express their ideas in a written form appropriate to their age and mental capacity, even after receiving adequate instruction and education. Dysgraphia typically manifests in young children. This is developmental dysgraphia. Dysgraphia can also appear suddenly in people who have experienced some head or brain trauma. The term for this is acquired dysgraphia. Dysgraphia, or more specifically, a "specific learning disorder in written expression," is regarded as a "specific learning disorder."
Various symptoms of dysgraphia can appear at various ages. It is regarded as a learning disability. Some symptoms include spelling issues, clumsy handwriting, and trouble putting thoughts on paper. Saying a student has dysgraphia is insufficient because writing requires complex motor and information-processing skills. A student who struggles with written expression will benefit from special accommodations in the classroom and more practice developing the abilities needed to write well.
What Causes Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia typically results from an issue with orthographic coding, which refers to the ability to recall written words and the motor movements required to write them. Individuals with dysgraphia may have difficulty planning and executing the movements required to write letters, words, or sentences. Dysgraphia makes it more difficult for children and adults to plan and write sentences, words, and sometimes even individual letters. Dysgraphia in children can manifest as difficulty with handwriting or spelling, despite adequate instruction and practice. It is important to note that dysgraphia is not caused by a lack of reading, spelling, or recognition skills, but rather by a problem processing in written language and translating it into written form.
Adult dysgraphia typically results from a stroke or other type of brain injury. Dysgraphia may result from damage to the left parietal lobe of the brain. The upper region of the brain contains the right and left parietal lobes. Each one is related to various abilities, including reading, writing, and sensory processing, including pain, heat, and cold. Another possible cause of dysgraphia is a problem with language processing and visual-spatial perception. Individuals with language-based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, may have dysgraphia. Individuals may struggle to understand and process the visual and auditory information required for writing in these cases.
What Are the Symptoms of Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is not always evident in poor handwriting alone. Dysgraphia is a processing disorder, so its effects can change over time. However, challenges can also overlap because writing is a developmental process in which children acquire the motor skills necessary for writing and the cognitive abilities required for communicating on paper. People with dysgraphia may experience a variety of writing challenges and may speak more freely and fluently than they write. They might struggle with the following:
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Letter size and spacing.
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Composition.
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Letter formation and legibility.
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Spelling.
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Rate or speed of writing.
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Fine motor coordination.
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Grammar.
Symptoms to look out for include:
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Tight, unnatural body position, and pencil grip.
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Non-readable writing.
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Avoiding any writing or drawing.
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Getting tired soon while writing.
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Saying words out loud while writing.
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Sentences that have missing or incomplete words.
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Having trouble organizing thoughts on paper.
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Having trouble with grammar and syntax.
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The speech shows a significant gap between written ideas and understanding.
How Is Dysgraphia Diagnosed?
A team of specialists, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, special education teachers, educational psychologists, speech therapists, and neuropsychologists with experience working with people with learning disabilities, are frequently needed to diagnose dysgraphia.
An IQ (intelligence quotient) test and an evaluation of the child's academic performance may be a part of the diagnostic process. Examining particular schoolwork is another option. Adults may be evaluated based on written samples of their work or written exams given by a physician. They will be watched as they write to check for fine motor skill issues. They might be asked to copy words from one source to another if language processing issues are present.
Healthcare professionals may use the following evaluations and tests during the diagnostic process:
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Formalized Handwriting Evaluations: These tests gauge the child's writing speed and legibility.
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The Beery Developmental Test of Visuomotor Integration (VMI): It measures how well the child can combine their motor and visual skills, which is a prerequisite for writing.
Since these tests can not capture every aspect of dysgraphia that might exist, the educational team working with the child will probably turn to other techniques to make the diagnosis. Academic testing that is more in-depth may be conducted, depending on the child's learning differences.
How Is Dysgraphia Treated?
Dysgraphia treatment is very individualized because it has a wide range of symptoms and affects each person differently. Dysgraphia is not currently treated by medication, instead, educational interventions can instruct in new, efficient writing techniques. Generally, strategies can be divided into three groups:
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Accommodation: The child is given access to the regular education curriculum and any necessary support or aiding materials, all without altering the subject matter.
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Modification: The child's school adjusts to the child's goals and objectives and offers services to lessen the impact of dysgraphia. For instance, the child might be able to speak test answers rather than write them down.
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Remediation: To lessen the severity of dysgraphia, the child's school offers targeted interventions.
To ensure that the child receives the education they deserve, it is crucial to speak up for them and collaborate with their school.
What Is the Prognosis for Dysgraphia?
Untreated dysgraphia makes it difficult for kids to succeed in school. Writing is a crucial academic skill linked to success in school in general. Instead of being recognized as having a learning disorder, children who struggle with writing are frequently labeled as sloppy or lazy. As a result, a child with dysgraphia might struggle with self-esteem or think they are not smart. A child can overcome these challenges by encouraging family and teacher support.
Conclusion
Dysgraphia is a treatable neurological condition. Assistance can be taken if the teacher suspects the child has a learning disability like dysgraphia. The child can be assisted in writing skills by speaking with their teacher, doctor, or the school administration. Parents must be their child's strongest supporters. A child's school can also create a personalized education plan (PEP), which can help the child improve in academic performance.
