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A child whose handwriting or printing is consistently illegible even after years of instruction and practice could have dysgraphia, which is a difficulty writing coherently and legibly. Although poor handwriting skills can be a sign of dysgraphia, it's not the only one. Spelling difficulties and trouble getting ideas onto paper also are signs of dysgraphia, which is a processing disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate in writing. Writing is a complicated task that requires the motor skills to hold a pencil and form letters with it, in addition to requiring thinking skills to generate ideas to write. Often dysgraphic students have wonderful ideas to share, but illegible handwriting, poor spelling, and difficulty organizing and expressing ideas in writing prevent them from fully expressing themselves in writing. Students with dysgraphia may benefit from modifications to written assignments, such as a shorter required length or the option of typing or speaking their responses. They may also benefit from instruction that is targeted at improving their handwriting, spelling, and writing skills.
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Characteristics of Dysgraphia |
When considering whether your child should be evaluated for dysgraphia, keep in mind that poor handwriting isn't the only clue. Students with dysgraphia frequently write with the following characteristics:
- Cramped fingers on writing tool
- Odd wrist, body, and paper positions
- Excessive erasing
- Random mixture of upper and lower case letters
- Random mixture of printed and cursive letters
- Inconsistent letter formations and slant
- Irregular letter sizes and shapes
- Unfinished cursive letters
- Disregard of lines and margins—letters that float above or sink below the lines on paper
- Inefficient speed in copying
- General illegibility
Adapted from Roger E. Saunders and Mark D. Westervelt
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