dysgraphia awareness - learning disability 2015

DYSGRAP HI A

• Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects written expression. Dysgraphia can appear as difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper.

WHAT I S DYSGRAPHIA?

Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects written expression. Dysgraphia can appear as difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper.

• It comes from the greek words dys

means impaired, graph meaning to

produce letter forms by hand and ia

meaning having a condition.

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Phonological Surface Mixed Semantic/Syntactic

Feifer’s 4 subtypes of Dysgraphia

Phonological:

Writing and spelling disturbances in whichthe spelling of unfamiliar words, non-words,and phonetically irregular words are impaired.

Surface:Students have trouble with orthographic representations of words, which makes the student rely too heavily on sound patterns; the opposite of phonological dysgraphia.

Mixed:

Students having trouble with mixing up letter formations and having trouble with spelling tasks, a combination of the first two types. Recalling letter formations is hard forthese students to do because there are so many instructions or rules that they get confused and; therefore, have inconsistent spellingsof words.

Semantic/Syntactic:

Students have difficulty with how words can be joined to make complete and comprehensive phrases.

An example of a second grade student’s handwriting with dysgraphia.

A second grade student’s handwriting who does not have a disability.

WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS and Symptoms OF DYSGRAPHIA?Visual-Spatial Difficulties

• Has trouble with shape-discrimination and letter spacing

• Has trouble organizing words on the page from left to right

• Writes letters that go in all directions, and letters and words that run together on the page

• Has a hard time writing on a line and inside margins• Has trouble reading maps, drawing or reproducing a

shape• Copies text slowly

WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS and Symptoms OF DYSGRAPHIA?Fine Motor Difficulties

• Has trouble holding a pencil correctly, tracing, cutting food, tying shoes, doing puzzles, texting and keyboarding

• Is unable to use scissors well or to color inside the lines

• Holds his wrist, arm, body or paper in an awkward position when writing

WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS and Symptoms OF DYSGRAPHIA?Language Processing Issues

• Has trouble getting ideas down on paper quickly

• Has trouble understanding the rules of games

• Has a hard time following directions• Loses his train of thought

WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS and Symptoms OF DYSGRAPHIA?Spelling Issues/Handwriting Issues

• Has a hard time understanding spelling rules• Has trouble telling if a word is misspelled• Can spell correctly orally but makes spelling

errors in writing• Spells words incorrectly and in many

different ways

WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS and Symptoms OF DYSGRAPHIA?Spelling Issues/Handwriting Issues

• Has trouble using spell-check—and when he does, he doesn’t recognize the correct word

• Mixes upper- and lowercase letters• Blends printing and cursive• Has trouble reading his own writing• Avoids writing• Gets a tired or cramped handed when he writes• Erases a lot

WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS and Symptoms OF DYSGRAPHIA?Grammar and Usage Problems

• Doesn’t know how to use punctuation• Overuses commas and mixes up verb tenses• Doesn’t start sentences with a capital letter• Doesn’t write in complete sentences but

writes in a list format• Writes sentences that “run on forever”

WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS and Symptoms OF DYSGRAPHIA?Organization of Written Language

• Has trouble telling a story and may start in the middle

• Leaves out important facts and details, or provides too much information

• Assumes others know what he’s talking about• Uses vague descriptions• Writes jumbled sentences• Never gets to the point, or makes the same point

over and over• Is better at conveying ideas when speaking

What Causes Dysgraphia?

Normally, the brain takes in information through the senses and stores it to use later. Before a person starts writing, he retrieves information from his short- or long-term memory and gets organized to begin writing.In a person with dysgraphia, experts believe one or both of the next steps in the writing process go off track:

• Organizing information that is stored in memory

• Getting words onto paper by handwriting or typing them

The Human Brain

What Causes Dysgraphia?

These are also considered to have effect:

• Brain damage• Physical illness or deformity• Intentionally poor penmanship• No or inadequate instruction• Disorientation• Multiple mental images• Inadequate natural orientation

Related conditions to Dysgraphia

Many children with dysgraphia have other learning issues. These conditions, which can also affect written expression, include:

Dyslexia: This learning issue makes it harder to read. This can also make writing and spelling a challenge.

Related conditions to Dysgraphia

Language disorders: Children may have trouble learning new words, using correct grammar and putting their thoughts into words.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): ADHD causes problems with attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.

Related conditions to Dysgraphia

Dyspraxia: This is a condition that causes poor physical coordination and motor skills. It can cause trouble with fine motor skills, which can affect physical task of writing and printing.

Interventions & Strategies

For FINE MOTOR-Teach your child writing warm-up exercises. He could shake his hands quickly or rub them together to relieve tension. -Playing with clay can strengthen hand muscles. A squeeze ball can improve hand and wrist muscles and coordination.-using cursive style of writing-letting them choose preferred pen/pencil-modified grip

For FINE MOTOR-Teach your child writing warm-up exercises. -Playing with clay can strengthen hand muscles. A squeeze ball can improve hand and wrist muscles and coordination.-using cursive style of writing-letting them choose preferred pen/pencil-modified grip

For VISUAL SPATIAL-using raised lines-using large spaces-graph paper

For LANGUAGE PROCESSING-using of word processor-keywords-draft and edit techniques-using Speech recognition software

ACCOMMODATIONS and MODIFICATIONS -remove neatness/spelling criteria

-offer “spelling-free” assignments-ALLOW EXTRA TIME-using laminated forms or templates to aide writing-avoid putting pressure on them-Praise the child for effort and genuine achievement. This can motivate him to keep building skills

REMEDIATIONS • Provide students with raised line paper

• Allow students to use writing utensil of their choice and place a “griper” for more stability

• Occupational Therapy sessions to enhance motor skills

• Providing instruction for improving handwriting and writing skills

Myths about DysgraphiaMyth #1:

“Messy handwriting is a sure sign of dysgraphia.”

Fact: Although many people with dysgraphia have poor, hard-to-read handwriting, not all do. In fact, some can write neatly—even though it might take them a lot of time and effort. There are other signs of dysgraphia besides sloppy handwriting. They include slow, labored writing and inappropriately sized and spaced letters.

Myths about DysgraphiaMyth #2:

“Kids with dysgraphia have below-average intelligence.”

Fact: It’s a myth that people with learning and attention issues have poor intelligence, and children with dysgraphia are no exception. In fact, kids with dysgraphia usually have average or above-average intelligence. They just struggle with writing down on paper what they know.

Myths about DysgraphiaMyth #3:

“Students with dysgraphia are just being lazy.”

Fact: Dysgraphia can make the act of writing a slow and taxing process. Some kids may avoid writing assignments in school simply because writing is so frustrating for them. This might look like laziness, but there are underlying factors you might not see. Watching peers who don’t struggle with writing doesn’t help, either. It can make kids with dysgraphia feel discouraged. The good news is there are ways to help kids with dysgraphia in school.

Myths about DysgraphiaMyth #4:

“Dysgraphia is the same thing as dyslexia.”

Fact: It’s true that both dysgraphia and dyslexia can affect kids’ ability to spell. The two, however, are distinct conditions. Dyslexia makes it more difficult for a child to learn to read. On its own, dysgraphia doesn’t affect a child’s ability to read. Learn more about how dyslexia and dysgraphia are different.

Myths about DysgraphiaMyth #5:

“Most kids outgrow dysgraphia, so it’s not necessary to spend time helping them.”

Fact: Dysgraphia is a lifelong condition—there’s no cure to make it go away. That doesn’t mean, though, that people with dysgraphia can’t succeed at writing and other language-based activities. There are a lot of ways to get help for dysgraphia, including apps and accommodation.

Success StoriesAgatha ChristieShe was the one of the most famous novelists who has given importance to the different types of novel during the 20th and 21st centuries. She was very creative in writing novels in different writing style that makes a big impact in the world of literature. While she was on her way to stardom and continuously writing her novels, she was detected to have acquired a disorder known as dysgraphia. She was not able to understand anymore all the written words that is enclosed in her novel. She was able to deal with it little by little by allowing doctors to treat her condition.

Other People with Dysgraphia

Albert Einstein Thomas Alva Edison

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