Episode 75: Tips for Dysgraphic Learners

LD Expert Podcast with Jill Stowell
Tips for Dysgraphic Learners

Jill Stowell: "I hate to write. I hate to write. I hate to write." Sound familiar? Welcome to the LD Expert Podcast. I'm your host, Jill Stowell, founder and executive director of Stowell Learning Centers, and author of “Take the Stone Out of the Shoe: A Must-Have Guide to Understanding, Supporting, and Correcting Dyslexia, Learning, and Attention Challenges.”

Kids with dysgraphia typically have trouble forming letters correctly, maintaining consistent spacing, and writing legibly and comfortably. But dysgraphia is more than just messy handwriting. Parents often report atrocious spelling, and even when the students have good ideas, they often hate writing because they struggle to organize their thoughts in order to put them on paper.

Here are some tips for supporting your student with dysgraphia:

First, when a student just can't get started with writing, try this: turn the topic into a question. It's always easier to write the answer to a question than to just come up with ideas about a topic.

Second, when your child says they can't think of anything to write, have them turn the topic into a question and visualize the answer. Have your child describe what they picture with as much detail as possible, and then have them write about their picture.

Third, what do you do when your child's writing is so slow that they can't remember what they wanted to say? Have your child tell you what they want to say and record it. They can re-listen or even use a transcript to help them remember their ideas and sentences.

Fourth, what about that atrocious spelling? As your child talks about their ideas, write down some of the good vocabulary words they say. Now they have a model of how to spell the words, and they don't have to dumb down their writing by using simpler words they know how to spell.

Fifth, when your child has lots of ideas but trouble organizing them into a cohesive paragraph, create a mind map or spider gram. Put the topic or question in the center of the paper and draw a circle around it. Draw lines out from the center like spider legs, and put each thought about the topic at the end of one of those legs. These can be single words or phrases. Keep it simple so your child doesn't feel overwhelmed when writing, and so that they're focusing on the most important points. Now, have your child number the legs in the order they want to include them in the paragraph. Start by writing the main idea from the topic or question, and then follow the numbers.

Finally, what can you do to improve letter formation and ease in writing? Here are two simple things. 

One: do "Alphabet Eights" every day until correct letter formation and flow become automatic. Click the link to see a quick demonstration of how to do Alphabet Eights. 

Two: use Handwriting Without Tears paper. The key here is using this paper correctly—Google it for more details.

The root cause of dysgraphia can be a combination of factors, including difficulties with visual-motor integration and language processing. But, like dyslexia and other learning disabilities, the struggles can largely be eliminated by developing the underlying skills at the root of the problem.

Help us spread the word. Let's change the narrative for these high-potential kids together.