Dysgraphia Test. What are the Symptoms? 😥

Summary

This video introduces dysgraphia, a common but often overlooked difficulty in writing, similar in prevalence to dyslexia. It presents a quick 29-question test for parents to assess if their child might have dysgraphia, with symptoms such as poor handwriting, trouble holding writing tools, and difficulty forming sentences. If a child scores three or more 'yes' responses, intervention with developmental exercises is suggested. The video highlights the connection between dysgraphia and other learning disabilities, but emphasizes that handwriting challenges can be quickly improved with therapy, fostering confidence and academic growth.

Takeaways

• 📝 Dysgraphia is a writing difficulty, often manifesting as sloppy handwriting or trouble getting thoughts on paper.
• 🤔 Most people are unfamiliar with dysgraphia, even though it is as common as dyslexia.
• ✍️ A quick test can help identify if your child may have dysgraphia by answering specific questions about their writing behavior.
• 🖍️ Dysgraphia can involve difficulty holding writing tools, poor handwriting, or fatigue when writing.
• 🖋️ Children with dysgraphia might avoid writing projects or tasks, such as using scissors or handling small objects.
• 📚 Children may resist writing about topics they can confidently discuss orally, highlighting a gap between spoken and written communication.
• 💡 Dysgraphia can cause difficulties with grammar, punctuation, and keeping consistent letter sizes and spacing.
• 📐 Problems with lining up columns in math or coloring within the lines are also signs of potential dysgraphia.
• 🔍 A score of three or more on the test suggests a need for further attention and possibly developmental exercises to improve writing.
• ✅ The good news is that handwriting issues are often more quickly improved with therapy than other learning challenges, leading to confidence boosts and overall academic success.

Q & A

What is dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is a difficulty in writing that manifests as problems with getting thoughts down on paper, sloppy handwriting, or other challenges related to writing.

How common is dysgraphia compared to dyslexia?

According to the transcript, dysgraphia is just as common as dyslexia, even though it is less frequently discussed.

What are some signs that a child might have dysgraphia?

Some signs include difficulty holding pencils or pens, poor handwriting, leaving out letters or words, hand pain or fatigue from writing, and avoiding writing tasks.

Can dysgraphia affect tasks other than writing?

Yes, children with dysgraphia may also have difficulty with tasks that involve fine motor skills, such as using scissors, buttons, or zippers.

What should a parent do if their child scores three or more on the dysgraphia test?

If a child scores three or more, it’s important to start working on developmental exercises to address the issue, although it doesn’t guarantee that the child has dysgraphia.

Are children with dysgraphia likely to have other learning disabilities?

Yes, children with dysgraphia often have other learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia, because the underlying causes are similar.

How can handwriting difficulties be addressed?

Handwriting difficulties can be improved with therapy, and progress in this area is often faster than in other areas, such as reading or math.

What is the benefit of achieving 'faster wins' in therapy for handwriting difficulties?

Faster wins build a child's confidence and create a growth mindset, leading to improvements in other areas of learning, such as reading and math.

Why does dysgraphia cause a lack of fluidity in a child’s movement?

Dysgraphia often affects fine motor coordination, leading to awkward or jerky movements that lack fluidity, particularly during tasks requiring precise control.

What resource is recommended at the end of the video for addressing dysgraphia?

The video recommends the 'Learning Success System,' which offers developmental exercises to help with dysgraphia and a free trial link in the description.