What is Dysgraphia (Handwriting Problems)?

What is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia (pronounced dis-graf-ee-ah) affects approximately 10% of the population.  Dysgraphia may occur alone or often with dyslexia, dyscalculia or Dyspraxia (DCD).  (In the United Kingdom, dysgraphia is classified as a learning disorder.)

Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder, and dysgraphia symptoms are characterised by the inability to write correctly.  Dysgraphia refers specifically to the failure to perform operations in handwriting, and it could be described as an extreme difficulty with fine motor skills.

Fine motor skills are essential for good handwriting.  Students with dysgraphia symptoms may have problems with the simplest writing tasks; their handwriting will barely be legible; the writing will appear incorrect or distorted, and letters of different sizes and different size spaces between letters.  Students have particular difficulties following a straight line and keeping to a margin.  Students with dysgraphia find it particularly painful when writing by hand.  You might find it helpful to look at the section on fine motor skills and Symptoms  / Indicators of Dysgraphia.

Furthermore, how students sit at their desks will alter how they handwrite.  I have seen many students with their hands on the desk and their heads on top of it over the years.  It stands to reason that this will not help a student to write correctly or clearly.   To improve your handwriting, please check out my ‘Dysgraphia – Improve Your Handwriting’ page.  You will find many ideas from the height of the chairs, desks, pencil grips and many more tips.  This will ensure the student has the best possible chance of achieving handwriting success.

There are several types of dysgraphia, but like dyslexia, often an individual will have more than one type.

• Dyslexic Dysgraphia
• Motor Dysgraphia
• Spatial Dysgraphia
• Phonological Dysgraphia
• Visual Dysgraphia.

Definition of Dysgraphia

‘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

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.