DYSGRAPHIA

Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing abilities. It can manifest itself as difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper. Because writing requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills, saying a student has dysgraphia is not sufficient. A student with disorders in written expression will benefit from specific accommodations in the learning environment, as well as additional practice learning the skills required to be an accomplished writer.

Several types of agraphia include:

• Deep agraphia is an inability to read or spell words.
• Peripheral agraphia is an inability to connect letters to form words and sentences.
• Alexia is an inability to read or write.
• Phonological agraphia involves having trouble writing abstract thoughts like ideas and feelings.
• Visuospatial is an inability to organize the letters of a word.
• Dysexecutive is an inability to organize thoughts into written language.

The different types of dysgraphia include:

• Motor dysgraphia. People with motor dysgraphia have poor fine motor skills, making it hard to write clearly. They often have no trouble with spelling.
• Dyslexia dysgraphia. People with this type of dysgraphia create illegible writings, but they may be able to copy text clearly. Additionally, they may have trouble spelling. Dyslexia dysgraphia is not the same as dyslexia.
• Spatial dysgraphia. People with this type of dysgraphia have issues with spatial awareness and may find it tough to use proper word spacing or stay within the lines on a page. Their writing is usually illegible.
• Phonological dysgraphia: Phonological Dysgraphia is characterized by writing and spelling disturbances in which the spelling of unfamiliar words, non-words, and phonetically irregular words is impaired. Individuals with Phonological Dysgraphia are also unable to hold phonemes in memory and blend them in their appropriate sequence to produce the target word.
• Lexical dysgraphia: Lexical Dysgraphia is evidenced when a person can spell but relies on standard sound-to-letter patterns with misspelling of irregular words. This is more common in languages such as English and French which are less phonetic than a language such as Spanish. This type of Dysgraphia is very rare in children.

Dysgraphia symptoms

Dysgraphia can cause different symptoms at different ages in children.

Symptoms also depend on the type of dysgraphia a person experiences. Some people may have only impaired handwriting or only impaired spelling, while others will have both.

Signs and symptoms may include:

• poor or illegible handwriting
• incorrect or odd spelling
• incorrect capitalization
• a mix of cursive and print writing styles
• using incorrect words
• omitting words from sentences
• slow writing speed
• fatigue after writing short pieces
• inappropriate letter sizing
• inappropriate letter spacing
• difficulty with grammar and sentence structure
• unusual position of the body or hands when writing
• saying words aloud when writing them down
• watching the hands while writing
• tight or unusual pencil grip
• avoiding tasks involving writing or drawing
• difficulty taking notes at school or work

Those with dysgraphia often have other learning disabilities or mental health issues. Sometimes, the challenge of living with dysgraphia can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem.

Causes

Developmental dysgraphia

Experts don’t know what causes developmental dysgraphia.

They do know that children with dysgraphia often have other developmental disorders.

They may also have difficulty learning how to write despite getting adequate instruction in school and having the appropriate cognitive level to learn.

Acquired dysgraphia

Acquired dysgraphia happens when something disrupts your brain’s pathways. Things that can cause dysgraphia include:

• Brain injury. Injury may occur from head trauma or lack of oxygen to the brain.
• Neurological disease. Brain diseases, cancer, and vascular disease can lead to dysgraphia.
• Degenerative conditions. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease can both affect writing and communication ability.
• Metabolic dysgraphia. A 2018 case study found that a teenager with diabetes experienced dysgraphia because of low blood sugar. Managing blood sugar levels treated the dysgraphia.