Dysgraphia::
Neurologists have come to the consensus by concluding that dysgraphia is a
neurological disorder and like other learning disabilities cannot be cured. Dysgraphia is usually also accompanied by
another learning disorder such as dyslexia or attention deficit disorder. The
overlapping of disorders is common because the neurological system as a whole
is affected. Dysgraphia occurs regardless of the ability to read and is not in
itself due to intellectual impairment.
There are
three types of Dysgraphia:
1. Dyslexic
Dysgraphia: A person suffering from this will usually have illegible writing
and extremely poor spelling.
2.
Dysgraphia Due to Motor Weakness: Extremely similar to dyslexic Dysgraphia, but
finger tapping speed is generally below normal. Motor dysgraphia is due to deficient fine motor
skills, poor dexterity, poor muscle tone, or unspecified motor clumsiness.
Letter formation may be acceptable in very short samples of writing, but this
requires extreme effort and an unreasonable amount of time to accomplish, and
it cannot be sustained for a significant length of time.
3.
Dysgraphia Due to a Defect in the Understanding of Space: Generally the same as
dyslexic Dysgraphia, but the person has a distorted view of space. This subtype is not fine motor based. Students with Spatial Dysgraphia often have
trouble keeping their writing on the lines and difficulty with spacing between
words.
In my
experience, a person with Dysgraphia and a poor space defect will also have
difficulties in art perception and drawing.
Symptoms of Dysgraphia
include:
1. Odd wrist,
arm, body, or paper orientations such as creating an L shape with your arm.
2. Cramped
fingers
3. Poor
organization
4. Illegible
writing
5. Slow speed
of writing and copying
6. Misuse of
margins and lines
7.
Unfinished letter or words.Having a hard time translating ideas to writing, sometimes using the
wrong words altogether.
8. Mumbling
and repeating while writing.
9. Irregular
sizes and shapes
10. Mix of
upper and lower case letters
11. Mix of
printed and cursive letters
12. Excessive
erasures, and poor self esteem.
13. Inattentiveness over details when writing
14. Reluctance or refusal to complete
writing tasks due to stress (which can
be created by the frustration with the task of writing and/or spelling).
The “Anyone
Can Improve Their Own Handwriting” individual handwriting correction program has
a 100% success rate so far. With the experiences in the correction of ADHD and
Dysgraphic handwriting I have produced an
instructional video “ Anyone Can Improve Their Own Handwriting. The video
techniques addresses the issues of the symptoms mentioned for motor Dysgraphia,
special awareness Dysgraphia and dyslexic Dysgraphia. By combining and
integrating experiences from art instruction, ADHD tutoring, and biofeedback
assisted relaxed concentration, a comprehensive correction program has been
developed. The program and video have included exercises for hand grip, hand
stress reduction, ergonomics related to body position while writing, and focusing
techniques. Added to these are exercises for acquiring an artistic mode of
seeing. These will help with spatial development and proprioceptive-kinesthetic
awareness. Exercises include drawing up-side down, identifying negative spaces
in letters, self critique of handwriting, and a special way to notate
handwriting lapses, using sound when writing, and learn to control body
movements.
“Anyone Can
Improve Their Own Handwriting” is a download with Amazon.com and a CD can be acquired
directly at https://sites.google.com/site/improvemessyhandwriting/
