Dysgraphia
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What is Dysgraphia?
Education
Dysgraphia is caused by a language disorder and may be characterised by the person having difficulty converting the sounds of language into written form (phonemes into graphemes), or knowing which alternate spelling to use for each sound. A person with dysgraphia may write their letters in reverse, have trouble recalling how letters are formed, or when to use lower or upper case letters. A person with dysgraphia may struggle to form written sentences with correct grammar and punctuation, with common problems including omitting words, words ordered incorrectly, incorrect verb and pronoun usage and word ending errors. People with dysgraphia may speak more easily and fluently than they write.
Dysgraphia is usually diagnosed during the early years of school.
Empowerment
Learning as much as you can about Dysgraphia can help with easing anxiety. It can guide you to make more informed choices when you can see how much you can do for your teenager. Also meeting other parents that have a teenager with Dysgraphia or joining an online support group which help support you. Working closely with your teenagers’ school to ensure all the right services and resources are in place for them
Parents of teenagers with Dysgraphia can help their teenager by doing the following:
- Have assistive tools such as speech to text programs so they don’t need to write their thoughts on paper
- Allow to write on a whiteboard instead of paper which doesn’t require staying between the lines
- Allow to answer questions from lessons verbally
- Try pencil grips or other writing aids for comfort
- Allow to use a computer to write
- Getting Occupational Therapy for your teenager to help improve the hand strength and fine motor skills needed to write by hand
- Speaking positively to your teenager, believing in them and focusing on their strengths will help empower them
Agatha Christie was one famous person that had Dysgraphia. It never stopped her from being a bestselling novelist.
“It was quite true and I knew and accepted it. It did not worry or distress me” - Agatha Christie
For concerns we recommend speaking with your Paediatrician or for further information please visit: https://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/
Special thanks to Australian Dyslexia Association for content sharing and linking to provide further information and direction for families with any concerns.
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Disclaimer: This publication by Miracle Babies Foundation is intended solely for general education and assistance and it is it is not medical advice or a healthcare recommendation. It should not be used for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment for any individual condition. This publication has been developed by our Parent Advisory Team (all who are parents of premature and sick babies) and has been reviewed and approved by a Clinical Advisory Team. This publication is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Miracle Babies Foundation recommends that professional medical advice and services be sought out from a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your personal circumstances.To the extent permitted by law, Miracle Babies Foundation excludes and disclaims any liability of any kind (directly or indirectly arising) to any reader of this publication who acts or does not act in reliance wholly or partly on the content of this general publication. If you would like to provide any feedback on the information please email [email protected].
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