Dysgraphia: Types and Signs
Dysgraphia is a learning difference that can have effects on someone’s handwriting skills (fine motor skills), their spelling abilities, as well as how they process information. Three different types of dysgraphia will be discussed:
Common Types:
- Spatial Dysgraphia
- May cause
- Inconsistent writing
- Trouble coordinating writing movements
- Signs
- Staying within the lines boundaries
- Proper and consistent spacing of words and letters
- Illegible handwriting production
- May cause
- Motor Dysgraphia
- May cause
- Writing skill difficulties
- Signs
- Slower writing speed
- Illegible handwriting
- Trouble with overall processing of information
- May cause
- Dyslexic
- May impact
- Reading skills
- Signs
- Difficulty with forming words
- Slower to learn new words
- Difficulty with remembering letters or words
- Confusing letters when reading and writing
- May impact
Other Common Signs of Dysgraphia Displays:
- Hard time copying
- Frequent fatigue during writing tasks
- Illegible writing
- Spacing & spelling difficulties
- Organization of words/ sentences
- Non- age-appropriate spelling
OT interventions:
- Pencil grips
- Type depends on what feels and works best for each child
- To learn more about different pencil grips: Types of Pencil Grips – The OT Toolbox
- Raised line paper
- Several options can be found at: Raised Line Writing Papers
- Hi Lite paper
- Spacing tools
- Working on letter formation
- Using the multisensory approach — use body to form letters, write letters in sand or shaving cream
- Strengthen of wrists & hands
- Working with playdough
- Weight Bearing activities
- Laying prone (on stomach) on scooter board to propel self while completing an activity
- Amazon: Champion Sports Standard Scooter Board with Handles
- Opening tops on containers
- Stringing beads
- Fidgets
- Example of widget kit: Amazon: (50 Pcs) Fidget Toys Pack
- More information on fun activities for hand strengthening can be found at: Hand Strengthening Exercises for Kids – The OT Toolbox
- Slant board
- For positioning
- Amazon: Write Slant Board
At Home Interventions:
- Write a secret message on your kids back
- For example: Writing the letters of their name out and have them guess what your spelling
- Using the multisensory approach at home
- Writing in shaving cream or sand
- Building hand strength outdoors
- Monkey bars, playing basketball
- Building hand strength indoors
- Working with playdough or theraputty
- For example: Making a cake, rolling into snakes, hiding treasures the child has to find and pull out
- Theraputty
- More fun, cheap & easy ways to incorporate hand strengthening activities at home can be found at:
- Working with playdough or theraputty
- Have them write on larger surfaces
- Poster board, chalkboard, driveway with chalk
