What is Dysgraphia?
I first want to say THANK YOU for clicking on this link to find out about Dysgraphia! We need more people like YOU willing to ask and learn. MANY THANKS!
Have you heard of Dyslexia? Where the words on the page have trouble getting to the brain? Well, Dysgraphia sounds similar, but it's where the words in the brain have trouble getting to the page. It's a writing disorder.
Even though Dysgraphia has been around for years and years...it's still relatively new and we are still learning so much. So, even the top researchers may still vary in their reports and opinions from each other. But I'd like to share with you some of the basics of Dysgraphia....
"Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder characterized by writing disabilities. Specifically, the disorder causes a person's writing to be distorted or incorrect. 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.......In addition to poor handwriting, dysgraphia is characterized by wrong or odd spelling, and production of words that are not correct (i.e., using "boy" for "child"). The cause of the disorder is unknown..." (from nih.gov)
"Signs and symptoms of dysgraphia can include messy handwriting, inconsistency in letter spacing and capitalization, pain or discomfort when writing, fine motor skill challenges, trouble with spelling, or trouble with composing written work. Often kids or adults with dysgraphia are able to express themselves when speaking, but can't seem get their thoughts onto paper. " (from dysgraphia.life)
"...people with dysgraphia may write more slowly than others. That can affect how well they express themselves in writing. Plus, they tend to have trouble with spelling because it’s hard for them to form letters when they write. Dysgraphia isn’t a matter of intelligence. The challenges are often caused by trouble with motor skills. Those skills can improve with help. And people with dysgraphia may also be eligible to use accommodations at work or school." (from understood.org)
Dysgraphia has no cure, but there are interventions, therapy, technology, training, and other support that can help cope with the writing requirements of life....especially for our children. Kids with Dysgraphia often get called lazy or told they must not be paying attention or trying. The reality is that they are often the ones working the hardest of all! Our hope is that with more awareness, we won't just help in the support and interventions of kids with Dysgraphia....but we could also make a huge impact on their mental health as well. The more people know, the more they can help with intervention!
That is why Turn Write Around was created. To help bring more awareness and understanding of the struggle of those who have Dysgraphia....and hopefully, together, we can make a difference.