Disorder of Written Expression or Dysgraphia is a childhood learning disorder that involves poor writing skills. A child can have dysgraphia along with ADHD, Developmental Coordination Disorder (Weak fine-motor skills and visual-motor integration and planning), Expressive Language Disorder, Dyslexia, and/or an autism spectrum disorder. Aside from the physical act of writing, the writing process includes the ability to plan, organize, revise, express oneself using words, sentences, correct punctuation, and communication skills. A thorough evaluation will therefore not only identify Dysgraphia, but any underlying or comorbid disorders. In this way, the most appropriate and holistic intervention can be determined.
Symptoms include:
- Errors in grammar and punctuation
- Poor handwriting and writing slowly
- Mixing up letters
- Poor spelling
- Poorly organized writing
- Leaving out words or letters in sentences on paper
- Difficulties getting thoughts onto paper
- Has to say words aloud when writing