3. Dysgraphia – Meaning
and Definition
* Dysgraphia is a
learning disability that
affects writing abilities
• Difficulties with
a) spelling
b) poor handwriting
c) trouble putting
thoughts on
paper
GovindarajS PhD
4. Dysgraphia – Meaning
and Definition
• Neurological disorder of
written expression
• Impairs writing ability and
fine motor skills
• Affects writing process –
i) Spelling
ii) Legibility
iii) Word spacing
iv) Sizing
v) Expression
GovindarajS PhD
5. Dysgraphia – Symptoms
1. Trouble forming letter shapes
2. Tight, awkward, or painful grip on a
pencil
3. Difficulty following a line or staying
within margins
4. Trouble with sentence structure or
following rules of grammar when
writing, but not when speaking
5. Difficulty organizing or articulating
thoughts on paper
6. Pronounced difference between spoken
and written understanding of a topic
GovindarajS PhD
6. Dysgraphia – Symptoms
1. Illegible handwriting
2. Avoid writing or drawing tasks
3. Trying quickly while writing
4. Saying words out loud while writing
5. Unfinished or omitted words in
sentences
6. Difficulty with syntax structure and
grammar
7. Large gap between written ideas
GovindarajS PhD
7. Dysgraphia – Causes
∂ Brain Injury
∂ Disease
∂ Degenerative conditions
∂ Lack of fine motor coordination
∂ Visual Perception
∂ Spatial Perception
∂ Working Memory
∂ Physical Illness
∂ Multiple mental images
∂ Inadequate natural orientation
GovindarajS PhD
8. Dysgraphia –
Teaching Strategies
∏ Holding a pen or pencil in a new way
∏ Working with modelling clay
∏ Tracing letters in the paper
∏ Drawing lines within mazes
∏ Connect the dots with puzzles
∏ Designated note taker in the
classroom
∏ Use of computer for notes and other
assignments
∏ Oral exams and assignments
∏ Extra time on tests and assignments
GovindarajS PhD
9. Dysgraphia –
Teaching Strategies
∆ Special grips with pen or pencil
∆ Use of wide – ruled or graph paper
∆ Use of Multi – Sensory techniques for
learning letters, shapes and numbers
∆ Be patient, encourage practice and
praise effort
∆ Allow use of print or cursive
∆ Teach different types of writing –
expository and personal essays, short
stories, poems etc.
∆ Help students to edit their writing
GovindarajS PhD
10. Dysgraphia –
Teaching Strategies
∞ Help students in spelling, neatness,
grammar, syntax and clear progression of
ideas
∞ Encourage to check the written words
by spelling
∞ Focus on original answers and ideas
∞ Reduce the amount of copying
∞ Split the writing materials into small
steps
∞ Provide tape recorders for supplement
note taking
∞ Create a list of keywords that will be
useful
GovindarajS PhD
11. Meaning and Definition
µ Dyspraxia is a brain based motor
disorder
µ According to National Center for
Learning Disabilities, individuals with
Dyspraxia have difficulties in planning
and completing fine and gross motor
tasks
µ Dyspraxia is sometimes used
interchangeably with developmental
coordination disorder
µ Children with Dyspraxia is having
trouble with balance and coordination
GovindarajS PhD
12. Symptoms
α Poor Balance
α Poor posture
α Fatigue
α Clumsiness
α Differences in speech
α Problems in Perception
α Poor hand eye coordination
α Unusual Body position
α General Irritability
α Sensitivity to loud noises
GovindarajS PhD
13. Symptoms
α Feeding and sleeping problems
α a high level of movement of the arms and legs
α Crawling
α Walking
α Potty training
α Self-feeding
α Self-dressing
α Difficulty with fine motor skills
α Problems in coordination
α Hand flapping
GovindarajS PhD
14. Symptoms
α Messy eating and drinking
α Temper Tantrums
α Less physically fit
α Short attention span
α Trouble following instruction
α Lack of organisational skills
α Difficulty in learning new skills
α Low self-esteem
α Immature behavior
α Trouble making friends
GovindarajS PhD
15. Dyspraxia - Causes
GovindarajS PhD
Motor Neurons are not developing
correctly
Immaturity of Neuron development in
the brain
Hereditary
Premature birth
Low birth weight
Drug or alcohol during pregnancy
Electric signal from the brain does not
reach the muscle
16. Dyspraxia – Teaching
Strategies
GovindarajS PhD
Help them to communicate with peer members
Practise to produce a certain sound
Training may give to enhance a) language skills
b) visual and auditory skills c) movement skills
Teach with Play way method
Provide Special services and accommodation
Provide breaks
Give extra time for completion of tasks and
assignments
Emphasize directions in step – by – step form
17. Dyspraxia – Teaching
Strategies
GovindarajS PhD
Provide written, visual and recorded
support
Help with tasks that require fine
motor skills
Encourage and praise
Focus on giving one instruction at a
time
Boost self-esteem
Practice multi-sensory letter
formation
Use pencil grips, writing lines and
stencils
18. Dyspraxia – Teaching
Strategies
GovindarajS PhD
Allow child to choose activities which
meets own interests
Provide instructions for activities in the
sequenced picture cards
Use activities and demonstrations for
teaching concepts
Use simple language with visual prompts
Provide visual supports to help
recollection of personal experiences
Role play to understand the concepts
Provide a distraction free environment
