The Fourth Dysgraphia Awareness Day (IDAD) is being held on Monday 6th October 2025. This will be organised by Maria Chivers from Dyslexia A2Z.
The details for this event are just being completed; please check back in a few days. Sorry for any inconvenience.
The aim of (IDAD) is to raise awareness of dysgraphia and celebrate it together with like-minded people interested in spreading the importance of good handwriting. We will work with parents, teachers, Educational Psychologists, Math Professors, Occupational Therapists (OTs), Assistive Technology (AT) specialists and other professionals.
Maria Chivers and Dr David Edward Cowell’s journey in researching and advocating for dysgraphia awareness is inspiring and commendable. Their dedication to shedding light on dysgraphia and its challenges and their efforts to provide a working definition for the condition have played a vital role in helping parents, teachers, and individuals better understand and address dysgraphia.
The development of a definition for dysgraphia in 2008 and its subsequent update in 2019 demonstrates their commitment to creating a reference point for those dealing with dysgraphia-related issues. This definition has undoubtedly been a valuable resource for many individuals seeking clarity and guidance.
The initiative to establish Dysgraphia Awareness Day in 2022 is a testament to Maria Chivers’ determination to drive positive change and raise awareness on a global scale. The event’s success in making international contacts highlights the importance of the cause and the need for increased recognition of dysgraphia as a significant issue beyond mere handwriting difficulties.
The upcoming International Dysgraphia Awareness Day, with the support of experts worldwide, promises to be a crucial platform for promoting awareness and understanding of dysgraphia. It is essential to recognise that dysgraphia is not merely about poor handwriting or weak motor skills; it is a complex neurological condition affecting information processing and recall.
Maria Chivers’ analogy of dysgraphia as crossed wires transmitting information from the brain to the hands provides a vivid and relatable illustration of the condition’s challenges. Such explanations can help individuals, especially parents and teachers, better grasp the nature of dysgraphia and offer more effective support.
The hope that the British Psychology Society and the American Society will collaborate to produce a working definition for dysgraphia in the next five years underscores the need for continued progress in understanding and addressing this condition.
Finally, the International Online Conference, organised by Maria Chivers and her team, featuring occupational therapists specialising in various aspects of learning difficulties, promises to be a valuable resource for parents, teachers, psychologists, and anyone involved in education worldwide. Their dedication to sharing knowledge and expertise is a commendable effort in helping individuals with dysgraphia and similar challenges.
In conclusion, Maria Chivers and Dr David Edward Cowell’s tireless efforts and advocacy have significantly contributed to raising awareness about dysgraphia and providing valuable resources to support individuals affected by this condition. Their commitment to the cause is an inspiring example of how dedicated individuals can drive positive change and make a difference in the lives of those facing learning difficulties.
23rd September 2023
Research shows that the brain engages differently when we write by hand rather than typing.
¹ Furthermore, studies have also shown that if children can continue to write by hand to the age of ten, they will be more successful in their academic careers in the future.
Maria Chivers & Dr David E Cowell – 2023
www.dyslexiaa2z.com
¹Alli Can’t Write is a children’s book on handwriting with a section for parents, carers and teachers at the back of the book.
The First Dysgraphia Awareness Day (IDAD) in the World was registered in July 2022 by Maria Chivers from Dyslexia A2Z.
The Second International Dysgraphia Awareness Day (IDAD) was held on Monday 1st October 2023. Maria Chivers organised this from Dyslexia A2Z and Arran Smith from SEND.
The Third International Dysgraphia Awareness Day (IDAD) will be held on Monday 7th October 2024. This will be organised by Maria Chivers from Dyslexia A2Z.
Dr. David, Edward Cowell, and Maria L. M. Chivers wrote the first definition of dysgraphia in the World in 2008 to help people understand it.
As more research was published during the next ten years, we updated it in 2019 to reflect our understanding.
‘Dysgraphia means having severe problems with handwriting, which is associated with extreme difficulty with fine motor skills and problems with the speed of processing – despite having a normal intellectual ability.’
by Dr David Edward Cowell & Maria Chivers *2019 ©
*Updated from 2008
The first “Dysgraphia Awareness Day” in the World was held on Monday, 3rd October, 2022. an event by Maria Chivers of the “Dyslexia A2Z” and helped by her friend and mentor, Dr David Cowell.
We registered our day in July 2022 and had a successful day and made many new contacts on our Facebook pages for Dysgraphia Awareness and Dysgraphia Support Group for Parents UK. We have several people from other countries who wish to be involved next year.
I am already working on next year’s programme, which will be on Monday, 2 October 2023.
If you have any suggestions or ideas or if you wish to participate, please get in touch with me.
Author and researcher, Raising Awareness of all aspects of Neurodiversity, including Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Visual Stress & other Learning Difficulties.
Email: mariachivers@dyslexiaa2z.com.
Maria Chivers & Dr David E Cowell – 2022
www.dyslexiaa2z.com
Exclusively Designed for us is this Dysgraphia Enamel Awareness Badge.
To purchase, please go to eBay.
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