There are no two ways about it that writing is a necessity in middle school. Whether it be essays, book reports, or even for grammatical practice, a tween must be able to write correctly. Dysgraphia is a neurologic disorder that greatly negatively impacts a child's ability to write coherently, which makes the task of writing very hard and literally unnerving for the affected tween. Learn more about this often undiagnosed disorder and ways to help a child cultivate better writing skills.
Characteristics of Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a neurologic condition, and while the exact cause of dysgraphia is not known, it does have common characteristics that affect those with the disorder. These characteristics may include some or all of the following:
- Omitting words from sentences.
- Trouble spelling even in the setting of repetitive instruction.
- Incorporating wrong words in sentences.
- Inconsistent writing, such as using large letters, unevenly spaced words, and mixing print with cursive.
- Inability to think and write together, such as in creative writing assignments.
- Sore hands after writing due to holding a writing instrument inappropriately.
A tween with dysgraphia will generally be quite efficient in other academic pursuits. The child will also more than likely have no problems with social activities and keeping up with his peers.
How is Dysgraphia Diagnosed
Diagnosing dysgraphia is tricky. In order to even suspect dysgraphia a parent and teacher must make efforts to notice when a tween is struggling with writing skills. Sometimes a child is just thought to be lazy when it comes to writing or just hates writing so much that he doesn't care how his work looks. The International Dyslexia Association, in its Dysgraphia Fact Sheet, urges that the only way to make a proper diagnosis is to have a child perform a battery of tests given by a qualified clinician.
Testing not only consists of actual writing samples, but evaluation of a child's writing posture, hand grip, and other factors. A diagnosis cannot be made on writing alone.
Treatment for Dysgraphia
Unfortunately, dysgraphia may not always be treatable. A tween suffering with the disorder may have ongoing issues throughout his entire life. Catching dysgraphia at very young age is encouraged, as this can lend to intense instruction to teach a child how to write letters properly and work on muscle strengthening activities that become a habit. But, if the diagnosis is not made until later in a tween's life, these practices may not be as helpful.
Techniques to Help Improve Dysgraphia
The Learning Disabilities Association of America has some great ideas for helping a tween overcome challenges with dysgraphia. Some techniques to try include:
- Providing the tween with a word processor to tap out writing assignments.
- Allowing a child to use wide-ruled paper, such as used in kindergarten.
- Handing out pre-written math problems instead of having the tween copy from a whiteboard.
A tween with dysgraphia will benefit greatly from positive reinforcement when it comes to writing skills. It would also be helpful to make sure the child understands his condition, so he doesn't feel "different" from other kids his age. Communication between parents and teachers is essential for a tween's success in school.
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Denise Oliveri - Denise has been writing for Suite101 for many years, and enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with readers. Her main occupation at ...
