Dysgraphia: the mistaken special need

Dysgraphia is perhaps one of the most mistaken learning differences, with thousands of children and adults across the world being misdiagnosed with its more well-known counterpart – dyslexia.

So what is dysgraphia and why is it so commonly mistaken?

Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder which can be defined as “a disorder in written expression”. Dysgraphia is a Greek term which in English translates to “impaired at writing by hand”.

Students with dysgraphia are known for making a number of spelling mistakes in their writing, just as students with dyslexia are. However those with dysgraphia can spell these words orally and can select the correct spelling out of a list (unlike dyslexics). It is in fact the process of writing the word that they have difficulties with and thus misspell it.

The impacts these disorders have on learning outcomes are often identical, but the symptoms are very different, and in developing strategies to overcome them, two wholly different approaches are required.

At Dysgraphia Help we offer an online dysgraphia test for students (over the age of 8) for £36.86.

After completing the test and sending us a sample of the student’s handwriting, you will receive a detailed report on whether or not we believe the student to have dysgraphia.

If we do believe that dysgraphia is present, you will also receive some supporting information on dysgraphia and a number of activity materials for the student to work through.

Many use this testing as a preliminary diagnosis of dysgraphia, or to rule out/confirm whether the student may need testing for dyslexia.

You can find more information on dysgraphia and testing for dysgraphia at: www.dysgraphiahelp.co.uk or alternatively you can email admin@dysgraphiahelp.co.uk.