Specific Learning Disorder – Written Expression (Dysgraphia)

“I don’t have bad handwriting.  I have my own font.”

Dysgraphia is a neurodevelopmental learning disorder in written expression. Although able to express themselves fluently when speaking, people with dysgraphia struggle to transfer their ideas onto the page.

People with dysgraphia struggle to write, often causing them to experience emotional stress and anxiety. Because they have good verbal skills, others expect them to write at the same level as they speak; when they don’t, they may be mistakenly thought of as lacking motivation or being careless.

Dysgraphia can occur alone, or with other neurodevelopmental conditions.

In dysgraphia, writing might include language problems such as omitting words, incorrect word usage, word ending errors, weaknesses in spelling, punctuation and the overall structure of expressive writing that affects the ability to express written ideas clearly.

Common signs of language-based dysgraphia include:

• Lack of punctuation and capitalization
• Mixture of lower case and capital letters in sentences
• Failing to finish words or omitting words from sentences
• Difficulty following spelling and grammar rules in writing
• Poor sequence/organization of words in sentence
• Producing minimum content on a page despite oral ability to explain ideas
• Avoids writing

In motor-based dysgraphia (also known as developmental coordination disorder), people have difficulty controlling fine motor skills, sequencing the hand movements needed to write, or controlling spatial accuracy. Other signs include:

• Awkward pen or pencil grip
• Difficulty forming letters or spacing of letters
• Poor fine-motor coordination
• Unusual position of the wrist or paper
• Tiring quickly when writing, hand hurts

Writing is a complex process. It involves shifting among tasks that include generating ideas, thinking of words and word meaning, organizing good sentences, planning, and self-monitoring, all of which are executive functions. Difficulty in basic language skills, or in the executive functions needed to combine them, end with the same result- problems with written expression (dysgraphia).

Researchers are aware that learning disorders such as dysgraphia often run in families or are related to prenatal or early childhood development. It is also not uncommon for those with dysgraphia to have other neurodevelopmental disorders such as dyslexia or ADHD.

It is important to identify the underlying problems resulting in dysgraphia. An Occupational Therapist using a multi-sensory approach can address problems with handwriting, motor sequencing and visual spatial skills. A Speech and Language Pathologist,or Teacher can help with language-based problems such as the mastery of grammar, word usage, sequencing, and composition of sentences.

Accommodations are often needed to help children with dysgraphia handle written work, including reduction of the load of writing in class and in homework, extended time to produce written work, and assistive technology. As with dyslexia, dysgraphia is a recognised disability in Australia and as such, those with dysgraphia are entitled to the same educational opportunities as their peers. Reasonable adjustments can assist a student with disability to participate in their education on the same basis as their peers.