Dysgraphia is a Specific Learning Difficulty which means a person is unable to write. Primarily, it refers to issues with handwriting, however Dysgraphia may also be related to coherence.
How does Dysgraphia affect children?
Dysgraphia occurs when there are changes in the brain that affect the remembering of sequences and muscle movements associated with writing. Whilst commonly associated with other learning disabilities, it can occur as a standalone condition and is therefore not an indication of a child’s ability.
Signs of Dysgraphia
The symptoms of Dysgraphia can be overlooked. Students can be labelled as lazy or unmotivated. Aspris schools and colleges are experienced in identifying the common signs of Dysgraphia and diagnosing the condition and giving the young person the support they deserve. The signs of Dysgraphia include:
- Poor legibility of handwriting
- Not writing within lines or margins
- Soreness in fingers when writing short sentences
- Slow copying speed
- Inconsistency in text size
- Writing long and misspelled words
Aspris schools and colleges focus on supporting students, both with their specific learning disability, as well as the related effects of the condition. Young people with Dysgraphia may experience the following when in educational settings:
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Frustration
- Poor motivation
- Poor self-confidence
- Poor self-esteem
- Reluctance to engage in learning
Strategies for coping with Dysgraphia
Aspris schools and colleges deliver effective and innovative approaches to overcome handwriting problems caused by the condition. These include:
- Educational therapy in the classroom
- Utilising computers for written work
- Interventions to improve memory
- Therapy and support for coordination problems
- Special access arrangements for examinations