What is Dysgraphia and How Do I Get Testing
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Have you noticed your child having a hard time with writing? Maybe their handwriting is hard to read, or they make lots of spelling mistakes. They might even avoid writing altogether. If so, your child might have a learning disorder called dysgraphia. In this blog post, we’ll explain what dysgraphia is, what signs to look for, and how to get your child tested.
What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to write. This can include problems with spelling, handwriting, and putting thoughts down on paper. Kids with dysgraphia often find writing tasks very frustrating. Dysgraphia can also involve orthographic processing, which is how we recognize written words and letters. This means kids with dysgraphia might be good readers but have trouble spelling. They might write words that look right but sound wrong. Dysgraphia doesn’t necessarily mean terrible handwriting, either! Some people with dysgraphia have legible handwriting, but the act of writing is slow, hurts their hand, or is otherwise troublesome.
Simple Definition of Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that makes writing hard. It means having a tough time getting what’s in your mind onto paper. This happens because of difficulties with motor skills in your hand, visual-motor integration (copying what you see), and orthographic processing (remembering the shapes of letters and numbers). Dysgraphia also involves problems with executive functions, making it hard to quickly plan, edit, and recall what you’re writing. People with dysgraphia often think and recall visual information slowly, and may have trouble with visual-spatial integration (seeing and understanding where things are in space). These issues make it hard to fill in blanks on worksheets, complete crossword puzzles, line up math digits, and even connect -the -dots.
Dysgraphia can be confused or (in some states overlap with) a learning disability known as “Written Expression Disorder”, which has more to do with getting ideas out of the head and onto paper. For the purpose of this post, we’ll talk about them interchangeably. A blog post discussing the unique and nuanced differences between Dysgraphia and Written Expression Disorder is in the works; for now, you can visit Understood.org for more.
Example of writing with Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia Writing Sample
This shows two different activities: 1) rapid sentence copying and 2) rapid alphabet writing
Just looking at the paper, we notice that even when copying, the child misspells words (quick) and flips letters (the ‘z’ in lazy). Also, letter sizes vary and rounded letters are oddly formed.
When writing the alphabet, there were several self-corrections, switching between capital and lower case, and letters out of sequence.
What we don’t see on the paper, is that this child scores “Below-Average” in speed for their grade when writing. Also, the child whispered to themselves, copied letter-by-letter, and shook their hand out often. Dysgraphia doesn’t always mean illegible or hard-to-read handwriting.
Signs of Dysgraphia
Here are some signs that your child might have dysgraphia:
Messy Handwriting: Letters might be different sizes, not on the line, or hard to read. Letters often continued to be flipped or reversed past the age of 8. Numbers can be flipped, too.
Spelling Problems: Frequent mistakes, even with simple words. They might spell the same word in different ways.
Slow Writing: Taking much longer to write than other kids their age.
Avoiding Writing: Not wanting to write because it’s too hard or frustrating.
Ignoring Margins: Writing all over the page, not staying in the lines or margins.
Trouble Expressing Ideas: Finding it hard to organize thoughts and write them down clearly. (Actually known as Written Expressions Disorder. I have a Blog post coming soon 😉, but in the meantime, here’s something from Understood.Org)
Want a more detailed list of signs?
👉FREE RESOURCE: What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia
Why Knowing About Dysgraphia Matters
Finding out early if your child has dysgraphia can help them get the support they need. With the right help, they can improve their writing skills and feel better about writing tasks.
Many Teachers and Schools are NOT Properly Looking for Dysgraphia 👇
When answering the question “Are educators in public schools identifying children with dysgraphia and providing appropriate instruction in public schools?” Here’s what the International Dyslexia Association found:
“In general, no. Although federal law specifies written expression as one of the areas in which students with learning disabilities may be affected, it does not clearly identify the transcription problems that are the causal factors in dysgraphia–impaired handwriting and/or spelling–for impaired written expression of ideas. Some of the tests used to assess written expression are not scored for handwriting or spelling problems and mask the nature of the disability in dysgraphia. Content or ideas may not be impaired. All too often, the poor writing or failure to complete writing assignments in a timely fashion or at all is misattributed to lack of motivation, laziness, or other issues unrelated to the real culprit–dysgraphia. Children who are twice exceptional–gifted and dysgraphic–are especially under-diagnosed and underserved. Teachers mistakenly assume that if a student is bright and cannot write it is because the student is not trying.”
How to Get Your Child Tested for Dysgraphia
Step 1: Watch and Take Notes
First, watch how your child writes and take notes. Look for the signs we mentioned above. Write down what you see so you can share it with a specialist.
Step 2: Talk to a Specialist
Next, talk to an educational diagnostician, like me! Schedule your free consultation call here. This is a person who is trained to find out why kids are having trouble in school. Tell them about your concerns and what you’ve noticed about your child’s writing.
Who Diagnoses Dysgraphia (relating to educational needs)?
Educational Psychologists:
They conduct comprehensive assessments to diagnose dysgraphia by evaluating cognitive and academic skills.
Neuropsychologists:
They perform detailed evaluations that include cognitive and brain function assessments to identify dysgraphia.
Clinical Psychologists:
They use various psychological tests to diagnose learning disabilities, including dygraphia.
Educational Diagnosticians (and short CLEVER COGS Testing Plug 😉):
These specialists assess and diagnose learning disabilities such as dysgraphia through educational testing.
Kelli Heinemeier — That’s ME! — is an educational diagnostician with over 18 years of educational experience as a special education teacher, case manager, private school teacher, and educational therapist ( through NILD).
I bring a unique perspective on how cognitive abilities and academic skills overlap to form a comprehensive profile within the school environment. As an educational therapist, I leverage my understanding to mediate and support these specific profiles, guiding families beyond a label to achieve true understanding. Learn more here.
Also, I offer remote (online) and face-to-face testing options for clients of all ages. Testing results are often received within a month of the initial FREE consultation and cost less than $1,500.
Step 3: Get a Full Evaluation (Learn More About Evaluations Here)
A full evaluation for dysgraphia includes several steps:
History: The specialist will ask about your child’s development, medical history, and how they’ve done in school.
Tests: Your child will take tests to see how well they can write, spell, and understand letters and words. These tests check things like:
Orthographic Processing: This is how well your child can recognize and remember letters and words.
Visual-Motor Integration: This is how well they can use their eyes and hands together to write.
Writing Samples: The specialist will look at your child’s writing to see what kinds of mistakes they make.
Observations and Interviews: They might also watch your child write and talk to their teachers and you about their writing.
Step 4: Get the Results
After the evaluation, the specialist will tell you if your child has dysgraphia. They will give you a report that explains what they found. The report will also have ideas for how to help your child improve their writing.
What’s in a Dysgraphia Evaluation?
A comprehensive dysgraphia evaluation will include:
History: The specialist will ask about your child’s development, medical history, and how they’ve done in school.
Tests: Your child will take tests to see how well they can write, spell, and understand letters and words. These tests check things like:
Orthographic Processing: This is how well your child can recognize and remember letters and words.
Visual-Motor Integration: This is how well they can use their eyes and hands together to write.
Writing Samples: The specialist will look at your child’s writing to see what kinds of mistakes they make.
Observations and Interviews: They might also watch your child write and talk to their teachers and you about their writing.
Learn More About Our Comprehensive Dysgraphia Screeners and Full Evaluations HERE
How to Help a Child with Dysgraphia
If your child has dysgraphia, there are many ways to help them:
Educational Therapy: An educational therapist is not a tutor. They are specially trained to mediate learning and address areas of thinking, beyond just “fixing” dysgraphia. I recommend an NILD-trained therapist. https://nild.org/find-a-therapist
Occupational Therapy: A therapist can help your child improve their hand skills for writing.
Assistive Technology: Tools like computers or speech-to-text software can make writing easier.
Special Programs: Programs that focus on improving spelling and writing skills.
School Accommodations: Things like extra time for writing assignments or being allowed to type instead of writing by hand.
FREE RESOURCES: Email me that you’d like Dysgraphia resources, and I’ll send you some!
Conclusion
Knowing if your child has dysgraphia and getting the right help can make a big difference. With support, they can become better at writing and feel more confident in school. If you have questions or need help, contact Clever Cogs Educational Testing Services. We’re here to help you and your child succeed.
💜I’d love to chat with you. Whether you have already had testing, are just shopping, or don’t even know where to begin.
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If you are considering getting testing, YOU NEED THIS FREE GUIDE 👇. It includes a “Smart Shopper” checklist for picking an evaluator.
10 KEY Facts Every Parent NEEDS to Know Before Getting Their Child Evaluated
Beyond what you can Google, this guide gives you checklists, definitions, how-to, timelines, and even a “Shoppers Guide” to find an evaluator.
Other Posts That Might Interest You:
“Dyslexia vs. Dysgraphia”
“Dyslexia and Math” Why kids with Dyslexia also have a hard time in math.
“What is an Evaluation” Understanding Tests for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and more.
