One of the most common reasons kids and teens are referred to an occupational therapist is because of difficulties with handwriting.
Referrals for handwriting difficulties can range from problems with legibility that are affecting a teacher’s ability to read and accurately mark a student’s work, difficulty with speed and the amount a student can write within a timed period and/or difficulties with pencil grasp and pencil control.
Dysgraphia is chronic, persistent, affects function and is a significant long-term problem for children and adolescents.
Dysgraphia persists despite treatment and affects the child or adolescent’s ability to perform on an equal level to their peers despite their knowledge and understanding of a subject, which can result in poor outcomes for the child or adolescent.
Dysgraphia is a disorder of writing ability, which covers writing at any level including letter illegibility, slow rate of writing, difficulty spelling and problems with syntax and composition of writing.
Dysgraphia is a learning disorder where the individual’s writing skills are below the level expected for their age and cognitive level (Chung & Patel, 2015).
Some of the signs of Dysgraphia include:
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5) uses the terminology “an impairment in written expression” under the category of specific learning disorder (SLD), which incorporates language-based dysgraphia signs and symptoms.
This is the term used by psychologists and medical practitioners.
Motor dysgraphia can commonly occur with neurodevelopmental or other developmental disorders.
Common co-existing conditions include:
Occupational therapists can assess and treat motor-based dysgraphia; the motor and physical components of handwriting and functional output of writing.
All other categories of dysgraphia should be referred on for suitable assessment, diagnosis and appropriate treatment with a suitably qualified educational and developmental or clinical psychologist. This includes langugage based dysgraphia or dyslexic dysgraphia.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Perth Kids Hub is your online guide to Perth’s *amazing* paediatric therapists, specialists, educators and schools who support kids & teens who learn, think or develop differently.
Perth Kids Hub is created in Boorloo (Perth) on the land of the Whadjuk Noongar people. I acknowledge the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. I pay my respects to all Aboriginal peoples; Elders past, present and emerging.
(C) Perth Kids Hub 2023