MEANING OF DYSGRAPHIA:
Dysgraphia in children is a writing disability, whereby a child is unable to write legibly and coherently. This learning disability has been discovered to be associated with a brain disorder, where by a child struggles to write, or finds it very difficult to put their ideas into writing.
IS THIS DISORDER COMMON ONLY WITH CHILDREN?
The answer is No!.Dysgraphia can be associated with any age bracket, whether an adult or a child.This disorder when discovered at an early age can be managed to its barest minimum before the child matures to an adult. See also Dyslexia
SYMPTOMS OF DYSGRAPHIA:
The symptoms of dysgraphia in a child, can be visible as early as a child is able to hold a pencil or pen.The major signs of a child with dysgraphia are :
(i) illegible and distorted handwriting
(ii) incoherent written work
(iii) Stress in copying notes
(iv) The use of upper case letters in the middle of sentences
(v) Fingers get cramped easily when writing.
(vi) Holding pen/pencils in an odd position.
(vii) wrong spellings and punctuations when writing.
(viii) easily gets frustrated when writing.
(ix) inability to write in a straight line.
(x) For younger children they can even shed tears when asked to take down a written work.
(xi) Most at times ,kids with dysgraphia are highly gifted with verbal fluency(it tends to cover up for the writing deficiency)
EFFECTS OF DYSGRAPHIA ON A CHILD’S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE?
I have seen Children,Educators and Parents get frustrated because of the effect of this disorder.
(a)EFFECT ON A CHILD: A child with this disorder will find it difficult to thrive academically. This child would be seen as a
(i) Slow writer
(ii) lazy pupil or student
(iii) dull or stupid
(iv) the child will be frustrated
(v) and the child will have a low self esteem amongst peers.
(vi) they are mostly below in class academically.
(b)EFFECT ON THE TEACHER
(i) some teachers will get frustrated with the child.
(ii) the possibility of relegating the child to the background.
(iii) some teacher will not be able to meet set targets on curriculum.
(c)EFFECT ON PARENT
(i) Parents will be frustrated.
(ii) Some parents that are not knowledgable enough about this disorder will be at constant logger heads with the teacher.
(iii) based on the preconceived feelings that their child is not doing well, because of the teacher’s incompetence,might lead to regular change of school to the detriment of the child.
HOW TO MANAGE CHILDREN WITH DYSGRAPHIA
Although medical specialists and Educational researchers have realised that dysgraphia is a brain based disorder and with no specific cure ,but could be managed to the barest minimum in the following ways:
Make sure you identify that the child has dysgraphia.
Patience is key ,with children with dysgraphia.
By all means ,seek a medical specialist in this area.
Help child,by giving them writing exercises at home or getting a Tutor in handwriting intervention.
If the child gets cramped fingers,help to massage with mild liniment
Help rebuild child’s self esteem that might already be lost.See also school open days:why parents must attends
Meet with child’s teacher to look for ways to manage situation to the barest minimum.
If there are other means of writing or taking down notes,like the use of computer
to minimize stress of writing for the child,it should be adopted.
Always encourage and correct child lovingly.