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Dysgraphia, Writing & Sensory Processing Disorder

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Dysgraphia, Writing & Sensory Processing Disorder

Jeanette Loftus

Children and adults can have dysgraphia. Some children will have difficulties with spelling, others will struggle more with writing and some could struggle with both. It is not uncommon for children who have sensory processing disorder to also struggle with dysgraphia too.

Sensory processing disorder is when the brain has difficulty processing and responding to sensory input.
This can result in having difficulty with fine motor skills and can also contribute to the challenges faced by those with dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a learning disorder that affects how a child is able to write and spell. It is also known as being a writing disability. Dysgraphia can affect adults and children. Children can also have other learning disabilities too and diagnosis too when they struggle with Dysgraphia.

There are therapies and strategies that can help children with sensory processing disorder and dysgraphia. Occupational therapy and sensory integration therapy can help children develop the skills needed to manage their sensory input and improve their fine motor skills.
Dysgraphia is a disorder that affects a person's ability to write. It is a specific learning disability that is characterized by difficulty with handwriting, spelling, and organizing thoughts on paper. Dysgraphia is a problem with the motor skills that are involved in writing and the ability to put ideas down in a coherent and organized manner.

The symptoms of dysgraphia can be different for each child who is struggling with it but there are some common signs to look out for. Young children may have difficulty holding a pencil or crayon, poor handwriting, and difficulties with letter formation and spacing.

When a child gets older they may struggle with spelling, writing legibly, and organizing thoughts on paper.

In adults who have dysgraphia can manifest as difficulty with handwriting, spelling, struggles with note-taking, and difficulty expressing thoughts in writing.

Adults with dysgraphia may also struggle with tasks that require fine motor skills, such as filling out forms or signing their name.

- writing too large or too small
- inappropriate spacing between letters
- speaking out what they are writing as they are writing
- feeling tired after writing a short amount
- watching their hands as they are writing and printing
- tight grip while they are writing
- holding pencil/pen in odd positions while writing
- they have difficulty writing notes in school
- difficulty thinking of words to write
- struggles to communicate through writing
- unfinished sentences
- pain or cramps in fingers or wrists while writing

There are a lot of different ways to help children with dysgraphia improve their writing skills and overcome these challenges. They will require a diagnosis from a school psychologist or an occupational therapist.
It is very important for teachers and parents to create a supportive environment for children with dysgraphia. This can include providing extra time for writing assignments, breaking down tasks into smaller parts and allowing for alternative forms of assessment like oral presentations.
If you are concerned that your child may have dysgraphia talk to your child's school psychologist or an occupational therapist.

There are so many tools and ideas that you can try to help your child when they are struggling with dysgraphia.

- Have you child try a few different pencil grips

- Purchase your child some wide ruled paper or paper with raised lines to practice writing

- Don't criticize your child's work and praise them when they try

- Offer positive reinforcement

- Talk to your child about Dyspraxia so they understand

- Practice fine motor activities

- Remain calm and patient

- Practice for 5-10 min at a time

- Make it fun! Use toys and tools

- Family game nights with puzzles or writing

- Ask your child to choose their own pens and pencils

- Try different pencils, pens and crayons that have different shapes and sizes