more than messy handwriting

Dysgraphia is in the realm of learning disorder, Wikipedia sums it up well in the first sentence: “… a deficiency in the ability to write, regardless of the ability to read, not due to intellectual impairment.”

The spacing and formation of letters (as well as the omitting of words and characters completely) isn’t limited to the adjectives “shaky” or “sloppy” that would be a gross understatement.

In my son’s case it looks as if he’s trying to imitate a ransom note cut from different magazines and glued down blindfolded. Backwards. Standing on his head. With both hands tied behind his back.

At this point I need to mention that I’m terribly disappointed that he wasn’t tested for this particular learning disorder when he was tested for every other learning disorder in the known universe.

We were told he just doesn’t like to practice his letters and to push him to practice more. Of course this leads to a downward spiral where he’s simply focusing on the shape and spacing of the letters and not learning anything at all about writing. When we finally found out what was going on the advice changed.

Turns out that extended periods of practice is counter productive for people with dysgraphia. The advice we were given was to have him trace the alphabet on a regular basis and do as much to teach him grammar and spelling without writing. This is where touch typing comes in handy, as does spoken quizzes and having him make visual presentations using models and photographs.

Obviously this didn’t work in so well with the Charlotte Mason method where copy work is really essential to grammar and spelling skills, as is essaying and creative writing.

The problem with avoiding writing is that writing by hand is so essential to most methods of teaching (both in home ed and in a more formal environment) so it takes some time to not only adapt to a different learning style, but to get the student back up to speed on some basics that have been missed due to the handwriting issues.

I’m not sure I have any expertise in this area beyond my own experience but my advice is that if you suspect your child is not writing because of dysgraphia, seek out a learning specialist as soon as possible and ask for a full evaluation.

Filed under DIY, homeschooling |