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dysgraphia
A neurologically-based learning disability characterized by distorted or incorrect formation of written words and symbols.
See also dyslexia.
Additional information
Students with dysgraphia have trouble mastering the motor skills required to consistently produce neat, accurate written text. Their writing may be illegible and inconsistent, often with varied spacing, placement of text that fails to respect lines on the page or margins, omissions of parts of letters or words, and/or mixes of print and cursive writing, capital and lower case letters, and letters of different sizes, shapes, and styles. A dysgraphic student often writes slowly and laboriously with hands gripping the pencil tightly and often in an awkward position. The resulting text will often not reflect the student’s language abilities or intelligence.
Examples and resources
- NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Dysgraphia Information Page
- "Dysgraphia: When Writing’s A Problem" (from the Inland Empire Dyslexia Branch)
- Accommodations and Modifications for Students with Handwriting Problems and/or Dysgraphia (from LD Online)
- Writing resources from LD Online
