Who are we?
 Introductions
 Think, Pair, Share
 Gender Tally
 Sticky Notes
 Discussion
Typical Writing Challenges of Gifted
Students
 Disorganization
 Labored handwriting
 Slow to start
 Easily Frustrated
 Others?
So…What have you done?
 Yell and scream at homework time?
 Bribery?
 Purchase every writing utensil possible?
 Threaten a consequence?
 Say forget it…go back to that book???
Definition
 What is dysgraphia?
 “Writing skills that are significantly below what is
normal considering the person’s age intelligence and
education.” The writing difficulties must interfere with
a person’s daily living and academic achievement.
Types of Dysgraphia
 Dyslexic Dysgraphia
 Motor Dysgraphia
 Spatial Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia: More Than Bad
Handwriting
 Tight, awkward pencil grip
 Inconsistent spacing between letters/words
 Posture problems
 Disorganized thoughts
 Avoidance of writing or motor tasks
Common Symptoms of Dysgraphia
 Inconsistencies in size, spacing, and formation
 Verbalizing while writing
 Illegible
 Processing Difficulties
 Word omissions and unfinished sentences
 Syntax and grammar problems
Sample of Dysgraphic Writing
 Excerpt taken from the article: A Look at Dysgraphia:
 http://www.peas-ink.com/ann/folio/hgse/t560/dysgrpahia/outside.htm
How do we know?
To be identified with
dysgraphia, a
comprehensive
psychological assessment
needs to be completed.
HELP!!!!
To qualify for services, a diagnosis of a disability needs
to be determined under the standards set by the IDEA
with a qualifying label such as LD for Learning
Disabilities.
It takes a VILLAGE
 Parents
 Teachers
 Psychologists
 Social Workers
 Administrators
Special Education Info
 Virginia Dept. of Education-Division of Special
Education and Student Services
 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/SPED/proc_safe.p
df
SO…
No Dysgraphia-NOW WHAT?
Elementary Students
 Fine motor exercises
 Writing tools that promote feedback
 Specialty papers with raised lines
 Dictation to a scribe
 Encouragement and PRAISE
 Practice Practice Practice!
Tweens, Teens, Technology
 Keyboarding programs
 Computers
 Laptops
 Alpha Smarts (NEO)
 Franklin Spellers
Ready Writers
 Direct Instruction
 Specific Strategies
 Occupational Therapists
 Assistive Technology Rep
Brain Gym
 Brain Gym exercises were used to warm up prior to
writing.
Fine Motor Feedback
Multi-Sensory
Practice and PRAISE
TECHNOLOGY
Resources
 Onion Mountain Technology, Inc
 www.onionmountaintech.com
 Therapro-handwriting programs
 http://www.therapro.com/Handwriting-ProgramsC19161.aspx
 www.ldonline.org
 Council for Exceptional Children-Twice Exceptional or
2E