What Teachers Should Know About Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a type of learning disorder that impacts an individual’s writing skills. Here, it is not just the basic act of writing that is difficult but also the ability of processing thought and expressing them in words. As writing is almost a daily activity in an educational setting, getting  diagnosed with dysgraphia can be upsetting and even nerve-wracking for the people involved. 

Here are some of the important signs of dysgraphia that teachers should look out for: 

Awkward grip of the pen

This is one of the earliest signs that can manifest in a student with dysgraphia. Even before the student reaches an academically higher grade in school, they are likely to display this sign. At a young age, a student with dysgraphia may hold the crayon or pencil in an awkward manner and tend to avoid activities like colouring or writing. Even repeated instructions to correctly hold a crayon or pencil may yield poor results. 

Writing errors

These are not just simple spelling mistakes that are common to a lot of children. However, here the handwriting is atrocious, at times even illegible. The student may not be able to space the words correctly often overwriting part of the words. In some instances, they may not be able to differentiate between small and capital letters and have several spelling mistakes that are not consistent. 

Inability to express intelligence in writing

A major criterion that can help in a possible assessment of dysgraphia is the difference in a student’s class and written performance. A student may offer excellent oral arguments in class and do well in class debates. However, they may be unable to transfer that performance in written assignments and exams where they often score poorly. This may be a clear indicator that a student who is otherwise intelligent is facing difficulties in expressing themselves in a written form. 

In case you notice any of these signs in a student, which could indicate dysgraphia, be sure to refer them to a specialist for an accurate assessment. Timely intervention and modified lesson plans could go a long way in helping such a student cope in the classroom and throughout their life as well.