What is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is much more than simply struggling with handwriting

Most people are now familiar with dyslexia and many people also know about dyspraxia. Still far less known but just as important, however, is dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a Specific Learning Difficulty ("SpLD") and form of neurodivergence that affects writing abilities. It covers much more than just difficulties with handwriting; although that is a significant part of it.  Dysgraphia also frequently involves difficulties with spelling and with translating thoughts into words on the page.  Unlike other SpLDs such as dyslexia, dysgraphia specifically impacts the fine motor skills required for writing. It commonly co-occurs with other forms of neurodivergence such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ("ADHD").

It is only relatively recently that dysgraphia has been recognised as a distinct diagnosis, but awareness is increasing and it is estimated that up to 20% of the population may be affected by it to some extent.  Typically it will be diagnosed by an Educational Psychologist or an Occupational Therapist through a series of assessments that evaluate a child’s writing skills, motor abilities, and cognitive functions. These assessments also help to rule out other potential causes of writing difficulties.

Students with dysgraphia are likely to find various aspects of school life challenging. These could include:

• Difficulty forming letters and maintaining consistent spacing when handwriting

• Frequent spelling errors and difficulties with phonetic spelling

• Slow writing speed, which can make it hard to keep up with writing demands in class and to produce the quantity of written homework expected

• Struggles with organizing thoughts and structuring written work

• Frustration and low self-esteem due to persistent difficulties with writing 

There are many things that schools and other education settings can do to support students with dysgraphia whether or not they have an Educational Health and Care Plan ("EHC Plan") including :

• Occupational Therapy to help improve fine motor skills and handwriting through targeted exercises

• Tools such as speech-to-text software and word processors to aid with writing

• Educating teachers about dysgraphia and effective strategies to support affected students

If dysgraphia is not diagnosed or supported, it can have a significant impact not just on learning in terms students failing to achieve their academic potential, but also anxiety and feelings of inadequacy due to persistent difficulties with something that is such a fundamental and inescapable aspect of education.

If you feel that your child or young person has or might have dysgraphia, SEND Advocacy can suport you to obtain the right support for them to thrive. If you need someone in your corner to help you secure the education your child deserves, contact us today.