Dysgraphia is a difficulty writing coherently if at all, regardless of ability to read. People with dysgraphia often can write, but lack co-ordination, and find other fine motor tasks like tying shoes difficult. They can also lack basic spelling skills, and often will say the wrong word when trying to formulate thoughts.

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.

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.

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, decreased speed of writing and copying, talks to self while writing, and general illegibility.

References

• International Dyslexia Association (2000). Fact Sheet. Retrieved Jan. 9, 2005.

External links

• Dyslexia-ca.org