Dysgraphia

, , |Dysgraphia (or agraphia) is a difficulty writing coherently, if at all, regardless of ability to read. People with dysgraphia often can write, and may even have a higher than average IQ, but lack co-ordination, and may find other fine motor tasks such as tying shoes difficult (It often does not affect all fine motor skills). They can also lack basic spelling skills (having difficulties with p,q,b,d), and often will write the wrong word when trying to formulate thoughts (on paper). In children, the disorder generally emerges when they are first introduced to writing. They make inappropriately sized and spaced letters, or write wrong or misspelled words despite thorough instruction. Children with the disorder may have other learning disabilities; however, they usually have no social or other academic problems. Cases of dysgraphia in adults generally occur after some neurological trauma or it might be diagnosed in a person with Autism (such as Asperger's), Tourette syndrome or ADHD. The DSM IV identifies dysgraphia as a "Disorder of Written Expression" as "writing skills (that) ...are substantially below those expected given the person's ...age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education".

Disagreements about dysgraphia

Types of dysgraphia

Even though most sources currently list three types of dysgraphia, many who research dysgraphia find evidence for several more types. One of the things which makes arguments for more types of dysgraphia fairly strong is that not all dysgraphics fit the descriptions of the types listed below.

Definitions of dysgraphia

Many organizations and standard tests cannot agree on definitions of what dysgraphia is, and on what should be classified as dysgraphia, and what should have some other classification.

Evidence

Many define dysgraphia as "a defect in the understanding of space". Previous books are usually given as the source, however all actual research that has been done to test this theory has shown that most dysgraphics have no defect in the understanding of space, or visual-motor delay.

Types of dysgraphia

Dyslexic dysgraphia

With dyslexic dysgraphia, spontaneously written work is illegible, copied work is fairly good, and spelling is bad. Finger tapping speed (a method for identifying fine motor problems) is normal, indicating the deficit does not likely stem from cerebellar damage. A Dyslexic Dysgraphia does not necessarily have dyslexia. (dyslexia and dysgraphia appear to be unrelated)

Motor dysgraphia

Dysgraphia due to motor clumsiness has illegible spontaneously written work, illegible copied work, normal spelling, and abnormal finger tapping speed.

Spatial dysgraphia

Dysgraphia due to a defect in the understanding of space has illegible spontaneously written work, illegible copied work, normal spelling, but normal tapping speed.

Some children may have a combination of any two or all three of these. Symptoms in actuality may vary in presentation from what is listed here.

Symptoms of dysgraphia

A mixture of upper/lower case letters, irregular letter sizes and shapes, unfinished letters, struggle to use writing as a communications tool, odd writing grip, many spelling mistakes (some times), pain when writing, decreased or increased speed of writing and copying, talks to self while writing, and general illegibility.

Lesser known symptoms of dysgraphia

Pain while writing

Many people who are dysgraphic will experience pain while writing. The pain usually starts in the center of the forearm and then spreads along the nervous system to the entire body. This pain can get worse or even appear when a dysgraphic is stressed. Few people who do not have dysgraphia know about this, because many with dysgraphia will not mention it to anyone. There are a few reasons why pain while writing is rarely mentioned:
*Sufferers do not know that it is unusual to experience this type of pain with writing.
*If they know that it is different from how others experience writing, they know that few will believe them.
*Those that do believe that the pain while writing is real will often not understand it. It will usually be attributed to muscle ache or cramping, and it will often be considered only a minor inconvenience.

Common problems that are often associated with dysgraphia

Stress

There are some common problems not related to dysgraphia but often associated with dysgraphia, the most common of which is stress. Often children (and adults) with dysgraphia will become extremely frustrated with the task of writing (and spelling); this frustration can cause the child (or adult) a great deal of stress and cause stress related illnesses. Common environmental sources of stress in the classroom setting are (a) high levels of environmental noise, and (b) over-illumination.

Treatment

Treatment for dysgraphia varies and may include treatment for motor disorders to help control writing movements. Other treatments may address impaired memory or other neurological problems. Some physicians recommend that individuals with dysgraphia use computers to avoid the problems of handwriting.

Occupational therapy should be considered. Dysgraphic children should also be evaluated for ambidexterity, which can delay fine motor skills in early childhood.