Dysgraphia – More than sloppy handwriting
We might be wondering why handwriting is still important in this day and age when everyone is typing on their smartphones and computers, and Indians are particularly renowned for their beautiful handwriting
Dysgraphia can be characterized as difficulties with the transcriptional skill set. It affects three abilities – handwriting, typing and spelling – which allow humans to create written material. It is a neurological illness that can affect both children and adults.
The handwriting of a child with dysgraphia is typically worse than that of a child of the same age, IQ and educational level. But, dysgraphia is more than just sloppy writing. In addition to appearing uninterested or lethargic, a child with dysgraphia may also exhibit other traits that are frequently referred to as ‘reluctant writers’, having difficulty communicating their thoughts and ideas in writing and might completely avoid writing.
Dysgraphia is not an indicator of low IQ. Albert Einstein notably possessed it. Yet, a severe writing deficit may be a symptom of a neurological condition that can impair social interaction, self-esteem and academic performance. Several other academic difficulties and mental health issues, such as dyslexia and ADHD, are also linked to dysgraphia.
The signs and symptoms of dysgraphia can be minor to severe, like with most learning disorders and they may manifest differently in children of different ages.
Generally speaking, a child with dysgraphia might struggle with:
• Creating words, numbers and letters
• Proper word spelling
• Arranging ideas and thoughts for literary exposition
• Handwriting that is illegible, inconsistent and sloppy
• Varying angles, forms and haphazard use of upper and lower case
• Inconsistency in the page’s spatial planning
• A tight or unnatural pencil grip
• Total avoidance of writing due to rapid fatigue issues
• Aligning columns of numbers in math problems
Due to the fact that individuals with cerebellar injuries frequently develop handwriting problems, experts believe that dysgraphia may have its origins in the cerebellum area of the brain. This area is also linked to language and automaticity, which is the rote letter-writing ability that most children master by their third grade. Also, some experts think that genetics have a role in dysgraphia.
Dysgraphia has an impact on how well a child writes, but it goes beyond that. It also has an impact how the child thinks, recalls and processes information and each of these has a subtle impact on how their teachers and classmates perceive them. Fortunately, occupational therapists and educational psychologists can assist children in overcoming these gaps. Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose dysgraphia as soon as possible.
Although dysgraphia cannot be cured, it can be effectively controlled with occupational therapy and/or an individualized education program (IEP). These type of therapies can prevent learning deficits in children with dysgraphia that might have an effect on their long-term outcomes. According to estimates, 10-30% of school-aged children have handwriting issues that require correction.
If your child is struggling with dysgraphia that is effecting their reading and spelling instruction, Chetna Foundation is here to help, ensuring your child continues to learn without frustration.