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Click below for some videos regarding Dysgraphia:
In this video, a student presents what dysgraphia is and how it affects her everyday life. She also discusses what strategies help her.
This video gives a clear outline on the areas affected by dysgraphia and how each one can be supported in turn. It is somewhat dated but is still very informative.
This is another video that outlines what dysgraphia is and gives tips on how to support students.
Downloadable PDF - What is Dysgraphia?
Information adapted from ADDitude and Understood.org
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is simply put, a difficulty with written language. It is a neurological condition that can make the following a challenge for a student:
Forming letters
Writing grammatically correct sentences
Spelling and punctuation
Spacing letters correctly
Writing in a straight line
Holding and controlling a writing tool
Writing clearly enough to read back later
Writing complete words without skipping letters
Writing speed
It can also present as:
a difficulty with putting thoughts down on paper
a pronounced difference between spoken and written understanding of a topic
misused words in writing
It is also common for dysgraphia to co-occur with other learning differences such as dyslexia.
There is an ongoing debate as to whether all these characteristics are part of dysgraphia or whether the second set of criteria are in fact to do with a written expression disorder. Dysgraphia is considered to only be linked with the first set of criteria (to do with the mechanics of writing). Click on the button below if you would like to learn more about written expression disorder.
(However, the strategies section for dysgraphia includes support for both the mechanincs and the written expression aspects).
It is also worth knowing that dysgraphia is not contained in the DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, written by the American Psychiatric Organization and used by specialists to diagnose) and is under the umbrella term specific learning disorder (SLD) and is labelled 'SLD, impairment in written expression'. This is useful to know if you are ever shown an assessment report with this term.
Click on the buttons below for more information:
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