It appears to be a straightforward question, yet I frequently encounter parents, teachers, and others inquiring about the similarities and differences between dyslexia and dysgraphia.
Let's explore this topic!
Learning Disabilities Defined
When we think about specific learning disabilities (SLD) we must remember that SLD is essentially an "umbrella" term for 3 main conditions: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia. According to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual, an SLD in reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia) or math (dyscalculia) is diagnosed when:
a student has difficulties for at least six months despite targeted help;
academic skills as measured by standardized tools and comprehensive clinical assessments that are substantially below what is expected for the individual’s age;
difficulties starting during school-age even if a diagnosis is made later in life;
difficulties that are unrelated or not caused from other conditions such as intellectual disability, vision or hearing problems, a neurological condition, or adverse conditions such as economic hardship, environmental challenges, lack of instruction, or language barriers (Reference).
Quality evaluation from a neuropsychologist or educational psychologist with experience in SLDs is key in gaining accurate diagnostics and information regarding your child's learning profile.
It is also important to understand the differences in SLDs as well as how other diagnoses such as ADHD or Autism may coexist and/or impact a child's literacy.
Understanding Dyslexia
Dyslexia is NOT seeing letters backwards... I repeat dyslexia is NOTTTT seeing letters backwards! It IS a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These challenges are often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Dyslexia is typically associated with difficulties in phonological processing, which can impact reading comprehension and writing skills.
Dyslexia can lead to various challenges, including:
Reading Fluency: Individuals with dyslexia often read slowly and with difficulty, which can hinder their ability to comprehend text.
Spelling Challenges: Poor spelling skills are common, affecting written communication and overall literacy development.
Vocabulary Development: Limited reading experiences may lead to a smaller vocabulary, impacting language skills and comprehension.
These challenges can affect academic performance across subjects, as reading is fundamental to learning. Students with dyslexia may struggle with assignments that require extensive reading or written responses, leading to frustration and decreased self-esteem.
Understanding Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is NOT always messy handwriting! Dysgraphia IS a specific learning disability that affects an individual's ability to write coherently and/or legibly. It can manifest as difficulties with handwriting, spelling, organizing thoughts on paper, and written expression. This condition may result in lagging motor or visual skills, making it challenging for individuals to form letters and words or in the translation of thoughts to paper, which can lead to frustration and reduced academic performance.
The implications for literacy and academics include:
Poor Handwriting: Individuals with dysgraphia often have difficulty with the physical act of writing, resulting in illegible or inconsistent handwriting.
Spelling Difficulties: Similar to dyslexia, dysgraphia can lead to challenges in spelling, affecting the quality of written work.
Organization of Thoughts: Struggles with organizing ideas on paper can hinder the ability to complete essays or written assignments effectively.
Increased Time for Writing Tasks: Completing writing assignments can take significantly longer, leading to frustration and potential disengagement from learning.
The impact of dysgraphia extends beyond writing tasks, as it can affect note-taking, completing tests, and participating in classroom activities that require written responses.
Key Differences Between Dyslexia and Dysgraphia
Though dyslexia and dysgraphia are both SLDs, they can exist separately on their own or a child can have both. It is important during any assessment or diagnostics that the evaluator look at a child's learning profile holistically to understand their strengths and challenges. Often children with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia have what we call "spiky" profiles... meaning they have really great strengths and abilities but either their performance or output doesn't match their ability or they have gaps in their performance.
When we differentiate the two, we can consider dyslexia as mainly the SLD that impacts reading or "decoding" and dysgraphia impacting the writing or "encoding." However, at times a student with dyslexia may struggle with encoding due to the nature of dyslexia impacting their spelling. So if spelling is a challenge, then achieving handwriting automaticity will likely be a challenge.
Understanding and Supporting Your Child with Dyslexia and/or Dysgraphia
Both dyslexia and dysgraphia present unique challenges that can significantly impact a student's literacy skills and overall academic performance. Early identification and intervention are essential to support individuals with these learning disabilities. Tailored instructional strategies, accommodations, and the use of assistive technology can help mitigate the effects of these conditions, allowing students to achieve their full potential in literacy and academics.
Want to learn more about supporting your child with dyslexia or dysgraphia? Book your free consultation here today!
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