Working with Dysgraphia at Home

 

Sloppy handwriting, ripped papers, thick heavy print, or writing so light you can barely see, flipped letters and numbers.  You have tried using workbooks, copying, correcting again and again but the handwriting is still horrible. There is a learning disability called dysgraphia that is a problem with writing. Dysgraphia can present in many ways because there are several causes for it.

Dysgraphia is a problem with getting the written word down on paper. First is your child has fine muscle control problems such as low tone, sensory issues, or dystonia. Second is the brain is not processing well the transition from the brain into a motor skill. There can also be a inability to organize the information to come out in a fluid way.

One way to help your child’s fine motor skills get the idea of writing is to make them use their large motor skills at the same time. You can do this with a chalk board or white board. As you get the whole arm and shoulder moving through the letter your mind is able to make more connects to remember! Here I made it a bit harder on my little one by having her hold her upper body up and write on the exercise ball.

Another tip to help is to place your hand over their hand and help them through the motion. Giving them the pattern to follow.

Different types of paper. Early writer paper (you can get them with raised lines). Wide ruled paper for the middle to late elementary. College ruled paper later middle schoolers on up.

Different types of writing devices. Little hands can use crayons at first. Use markers is your child cannot press downward on the paper (usually caused by low tone). As your child ages pencils can work if not don’t be afraid to try pens. The slightly scratchy quality to pencils can be incredibly distracting to sensory defensive kids.

My son needs a pencil grip to correct his grip. He would hold the pencil in his fist. He pushed so hard that it was very common to rip the paper. He would break tips several times in on subject. He would also tire his hand out quickly and not be able to complete the work I had set for him.

With the help of his OT he started using Handwriting Without Tears. He tried several pencil grips and found this one to be the best.

Another tip we learned from our OT is for children that flip letters and numbers go directly to cursive writing. Connected letters cannot flip or they are noticeably wrong.  You can use the Handwriting Without Tears cursive for that or if you have a young elementary child you could use Abeka. Most other programs assume your child has mastered manuscript writing and tries to build on it. These two programs do not make that assumption.

Dysgraphia can be a sign of fine motor control problems in the hand or your child’s control over those muscles. Not just writing is affected. Cutting with scissors can also become a problem. The opening and closing of the palm, the ability to keep the scissors at the tips of their fingers so they have control can all be a problem. I have found these spring open, loop scissors work quite well.

Starting the day it would be a good idea to do a warm up. You could sing a song with hand signs, Going on a Bear Hunt. Hide beads in play dough for your child to find with their finger tips only. Use clay to create perhaps an object for history that day.

Dysgraphia is a learning disability and that can come in many different levels of ability. A mildly to high moderately affected person may be able to overcome completely their problem with time and concerted effort. A more severely affected child may need you to make accommodations. Good thing is typing and using a computer are skills that your child will need anyway. Also with ipods, iphones, and whatever is coming around the corner carrying and using tech as an accommodation is no longer big and bulky.

If you child is so affected that their SAT,  ACT tests, or college will need accommodations then you should look into getting  formal evaluation with an Occupational Therapist OT. Once you have a professional’s opinion that certain accommodations are necessary then the tester will provide it within reason. College will also be more open to allowing any adjustments your then adult might need.

As you are working through the learning material remember unless you are working specifically on writing than don’t nit pick. Provide other ways your child can show their work. Allow your child to tell you and your be their hands! Take a video of your child discussing with your a reading selection, instead of having them write out the questions at the end of the text. Computers can help. Drawing pictures. Let your imagination run wild!

Here are some article on dsygraphia:

Is writing a struggle for your children? (mine)

Understanding Dysgraphia by Wrightslaw

Dysgraphia at Learning Disability Association