ADVANCING LEARNING through INCLUSION
DYSGRAPHIA
What does dysgraphia involve?
Dysgraphia is a learning disorder with significant difficulties in the development of writing, specifically in letter formation, size and form. It has a neurobiological base.
People can have different degrees of dysgraphia. We should bear in mind that each case is different and not all symptoms need be present.
It is important to remember that there is no correlation between dysgraphia and a below-average IQ.
The most frequent symptoms are:
Writing that varies in size, smaller or bigger than normal.
Difficulty with joined writing.
Pain in the arm or forearm.
Difficulty with copying text and keeping it uniform.
Different-sized letters and words in the same paragraph.
Slow and rigid movements when writing.
Difficulty with organising letters in words or sentences.
Lack of control of the pencil, pen or other writing instrument.
Adoption of incorrect postures.
Handwriting sometimes illegible.
Writing that seems to ‘dance’ on the page.
ENABLING STRATEGIES
Intervention needs to occur in all the stages of education and in all subjects to ensure that students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD) have an equal opportunity to learn. The most important measures to be taken are:
Compensatory tools
As handwriting is often difficult to read, offer voice to text applications whenever possible.
Typeface
Agree with students on the best handwriting style to use, whether cursive or print.
Note-taking
Avoid situations where students have to take notes.
Oral exams
Give students the option of being examined or tested orally,
Record school diary
Allow students to record the school diary.
Notebooks
Agree on the best type of notebook for students: squared, lined, etc.
Computers
Allow students to use computers to do exams, submit work, etc. when possible.
With the collaboration of…
DISFAM
International Dyslexia and Family Organisation
DISFAM is the first non-profit Latin American organisation founded in Spain at the end of 2001. It is made up of families of children with dyslexia, adults with dyslexia and professionals from different fields that decided to join together because of their concern with problems experienced by children and adults and also the emotional consequences of the disorder.
DISFAM belongs to the European Association of Dyslexia (EDA) and the Federación de Dislexia Española (FEDIS). It is present in most Latin American countries.
