Dysgraphia

What It Means

Dysgraphia is a learning disability that makes writing hard. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, describes it as a childhood learning disorder of poor writing skills, also called disorder of written expression, and NICHD describes trouble forming letters, keeping writing inside a given space and getting thoughts down on paper. In U.S. public schoolsPublic schoolA school run by publicly elected or appointed officials and paid for mainly with public money, including district, charter and magnet schools. See more it falls under the IDEA category specific learning disability, whose definition at 34 CFR 300.8(c)(1010,000 stepsA popular daily step goal that began as the name of a 1960s Japanese pedometer; later studies find health benefits begin well below it. See more) includes an imperfect ability to write or spell.

How Parents Say It

• "His ideas are great until he has to write them down."
• "Her handwriting runs off the lines no matter what."
• "The teacher mentioned dysgraphia at conferences."

The Breakdown

From first signs to school support

Dysgraphia vs dyslexiaDyslexiaA learning disability that makes reading words accurately and smoothly hard, mostly because linking letters to sounds is hard; schools call it a specific learning disability. See more. Dyslexia mainly affects reading words, and dysgraphia mainly affects writing them. MedlinePlus notes dysgraphia can come with other conditions, including a reading disorder, ADHDADHD in kidsAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children: ongoing trouble paying attention, sitting still or controlling impulses, beyond what's usual for their age. See more, expressive languageExpressive languageThe sending side of language: putting wants, thoughts and ideas into words, signs, gestures or writing. Receptive language is the understanding side. See more disorder and developmental coordination disorder, so one evaluation may look at several areas.

The word itself. The Department of Education's October 23, 2015 letter says dysgraphia can qualify a child as having a specific learning disability, and that nothing in IDEA stops a school from using the word in an evaluation, an eligibility decision or an IEP.

When to talk to the school and the doctor. If writing stays much harder for your child than for classmates over months, bring a few work samples to the teacher and ask about an evaluation, and tell your child's doctor what you've seen.

Good to Know

MedlinePlus says special (remedial) education is the best approach for dysgraphia, and that low self-esteemSelf-esteemHow a person feels about themselves and what they can do. In a child, healthy self-esteem shows as feeling liked, accepted and able to try again after a mistake. See more and trouble with learning and getting along with others can follow when it isn't addressed. NICHD says only a professional can diagnose a learning disability. Keep dated writing samples from across the year, since they show a pattern better than one bad page.

Related Terms and Categories

• Dyslexia

  A learning disability that makes reading words accurately and smoothly hard, mostly because linking letters to sounds is hard; schools call it a specific learning disability.

• Evaluation request

  A request, usually from a parent, that the public school evaluate a child for a disability and special education services under IDEA.

• IEP

  An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is the written plan a public school makes for a child who qualifies for special education under IDEA.

• ADHD in kids

  Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children: ongoing trouble paying attention, sitting still or controlling impulses, beyond what's usual for their age.

School and education for parents