If your child has significant challenges with writing, they may suffer from dysgraphia. Difficulties with writing can hinder a student’s success in a number of subjects. Common signs of dysgraphia include the following:

Spatial Production

  • Uneven spaces between words and letters are present
  • Difficulty staying on provided horizontal lines
  • Others struggle to read the child’s writing
  • Challenges with forming letters and words
  • Letters and words are excessively large

Expressive Language

  • Clear limitations in vocabulary
  • Struggles to put ideas into words
  • Sentence structure is overly simplistic
  • Poor spelling
  • Grammatical deficits

Graphomotor Output

  • Struggles to correctly hold writing utensils
  • Presses too hard/soft while writing
  • Letters and words are excessively small
  • Clear preference for print over cursive

Attitude

  • Actively avoids writing
  • Becomes anxious while writing
  • Has no interest in writing

If you or others recognize a number of these symptoms in your child, an evaluation with a neuropsychologist can help determine whether your child has dysgraphia. Proper diagnosis is integral to helping your child succeed.

Reference:

Miller, D., & Maricle, D. (2019). Essentials of school neuropsychological assessment (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.