What is Dysgraphia? – Symptoms and Diagnosis

 

(Student & Parent-Friendly Guide)

Dysgraphia is a specific learning difficulty that affects a person’s writing ability. It can involve trouble with spelling, handwriting, and putting thoughts into written words. People with dysgraphia may know what they want to say but find it very hard to write it down clearly or quickly.

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Key Signs and Symptoms

Children or students with dysgraphia may:

• Have messy or hard-to-read handwriting
• Struggle to form letters correctly or write in a straight line
• Write slowly or with great effort
• Have trouble with spelling and punctuation
• Avoid writing tasks or become frustrated during writing
• Find it difficult to organize ideas on paper
• Leave out words or mix up word order in sentences

These difficulties may show up early when children start learning to write, or later when writing becomes more complex.

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How Dysgraphia is Diagnosed

Diagnosis involves:

• Observations of handwriting and written work
• Assessments of fine motor skills and writing fluency
• Educational testing by a psychologist or specialist teacher
• Feedback from teachers about classroom performance

It’s important to rule out other causes like lack of instruction or motor disabilities unrelated to learning.

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Support and Strategies

There are many ways to support learners with dysgraphia, including:

• Occupational therapy to improve hand strength and fine motor control
• Use of technology, like keyboards or speech-to-text tools
• Writing support such as graphic organizers and sentence starters
• Extra time for written tasks and assignments
• Alternatives to handwriting, like oral presentations or drawing ideas
• Individual learning plans with tailored support and accommodations

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Reassurance for Students and Families

Dysgraphia doesn’t mean a child isn’t creative or smart—it just means writing is more challenging. Many people with dysgraphia are great thinkers and storytellers. With the right tools and support, they can share their ideas in other ways and feel proud of their work.

 

 Dysgraphia Quiz – Question and Answer Sheet

Questions

1.   What is dysgraphia?

2.   What causes dysgraphia?

3.   What are some common signs of dysgraphia in children?

4.   What are some common signs of dysgraphia in adults?

5.   How can dysgraphia affect schoolwork or everyday life?

6.   What is the difference between dysgraphia and dyslexia?

7.   Name two possible support strategies for someone with dysgraphia.

8.   How can technology help people with dysgraphia?

9.   Is dysgraphia the same as bad handwriting? Explain your answer.

10.                     Can dysgraphia be cured? Why or why not?