Dysgraphia is a affecting a person’s ability to express themselves through written language. This difficulty will often cause handwriting to be poor, and sometimes it will affect spelling as well. These symptoms will influence the person’s ability to learn to spell, as well as their ability to process and use written language.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia has been compared with Dyspraxia, but the difference between the conditions is that people with Dysgraphia don’t tend to have problems with physical movements or hand-eye coordination like people with Dyspraxia. Some of the symptoms include the following:
· Poor quality or unusual handwriting
· An unusual or unique positioning of wrists when writing
· Hesitancy or reluctance when writing
· Aches or pain in the hand due to a firm grip on the pen
· Intense focus during writing
· Low self-esteem or self-confidence because of challenges with spelling or handwriting
Dysgraphia Causes
Dysgraphia can be developed at any time in a person’s life. During childhood, the brain might not have developed the ability to remember written language or words over the long term. This will likely influence the person’s ability to remember how to move their wrist, hands and fingers when writing.
The condition can be developed in adulthood. Sometimes a brain injury may cause the condition.
A few conditions are associated with Dysgraphia, such as ADHD and Dyslexia, and these conditions may increase the symptoms of Dysgraphia. ADHD can cause challenges with focus and attention, making the person distracted easily from writing or spelling words.
Dysgraphia Diagnosis
For children, a psychologist or a mental health professional may be asked to observe some of their schoolwork. Sometimes the child’s IQ will also be assessed to gain extra insight into how their mind works.
For adults, the diagnosis is a little different. A doctor may request a sample of written work to check the patient’s spelling or handwriting ability. This may also involve observing the person’s hand and wrist movements to see any signs of pain, intense focus or an unusual technique.
Why Is A Dysgraphia Diagnosis Critical?
A diagnosis will allow adults to consider taking private classes to catch up on any skills they may feel need improvement. This will give them more chances for success at school or work.
Conclusion
In summary, Dysgraphia is a lifelong condition that affects how a person processes and uses language. The most common symptoms are poor handwriting skills and difficulty learning to spell.
FAQs
Is Dysgraphia A Form Of Dyslexia?
They are very similar conditions, but they are not the same. People with Dyslexia tend to have challenges with reading, whereas, for people with Dysgraphia, writing is more often the main issue. People can have both conditions, but a doctor or psychologist will assess the symptoms and be able to differentiate between the two conditions.
At What Age Is Dysgraphia Diagnosed?
Symptoms may be noticeable from the moment a child starts learning to write. However, gaining complete insight may only be possible when they are five or six.
In some cases, some assessment methods are only available once the child is at a more advanced stage of their education, such as when they start to sit their first exams. This is due to a child’s experience with writing, processing language and using a pen, proving vital to determining their strengths and weaknesses.
Dysgraphia can also be diagnosed much later than this. Someone can be diagnosed throughout adolescence and even adulthood if symptoms appear.
What Is The Treatment For Dysgraphia?
Several treatments are available, including medication. Occupational therapy or techniques to improve physical movement and hand-eye coordination could be helpful.
At school, children can often be eligible for extra time during exams. They can also be assigned a trained assistant to take notes for them. However, if they prefer, they can also be provided with a computer to make writing and taking notes easier.
Digital recording devices can also be beneficial, particularly when the person reaches secondary school and university. Arranging for lecture slides and notes to be provided before or after class will also be possible.
Can People Grow Out Of Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a lifelong condition. However, there are treatments available to improve the symptoms and plenty of ways to manage the condition.
