Dysgraphia: What It Is, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment (2024)

What is dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is a neurological condition in which someone has difficulty turning their thoughts into written language for their age and ability to think, despite exposure to adequate instruction and education. Dysgraphia can present with many different symptoms at different ages. It’s considered a learning difference.

Writing is a complex process that involves many skills and brain functions, including:

Fine motor skills.
Spatial perception (ability to perceive the space around you).
Working memory (ability to hold and manipulate information in your mind).
Orthographic coding (ability to form, store and recall letters, numbers and symbols).
Language processing.
Conceptualization.
Organization.

Because of this, dysgraphia is somewhat of a catch-all term to diagnose issues with writing and can be difficult to diagnose.

Dysgraphia generally appears when children are first learning to write. This is called developmental dysgraphia. People can also develop dysgraphia suddenly after some type of head or brain trauma. This is called acquired dysgraphia.

Dysgraphia is considered a “specific learning disorder” — more specifically, a “specific learning disorder in written expression.”

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Is dysgraphia a form of dyslexia?

Dyslexia and dysgraphia are two distinct neurological conditions, though they’re easy to confuse because they share symptoms and often occur together.

Dyslexia is a learning difference that makes it harder for people to learn to read. If you have dyslexia, you may read more slowly or have trouble recognizing words. Often, people with dyslexia read at a lower level than expected. People with dyslexia may struggle to break words into sounds or relate letters to sounds when reading.

Dysgraphia involves difficulty with the act of writing. Difficulties can range from issues with physically writing words to issues with organizing and expressing thoughts in written form.

Is dysgraphia a form of autism?

Dysgraphia isn’t a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Though dysgraphia commonly occurs in people with autism, you can have dysgraphia without having autism.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by:

Difficulties in social communication differences.
Deficits in social interactions.
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities.
Sensory problems.

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Who does dysgraphia affect?

Dysgraphia can affect children and adults. As with many neurodevelopmental conditions, dysgraphia is more common in children assigned male at birth (AMAB) than in children assigned female at birth (AFAB).

You’re more likely to have dysgraphia if other family members also have it, and dysgraphia is common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

How common is dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is common. Researchers estimate that 5% to 20% of people have dysgraphia. The estimated range is large because dysgraphia often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

As an expert in neurodevelopmental conditions and learning differences, my extensive knowledge in the field allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of dysgraphia and related concepts discussed in the article.

Dysgraphia is a neurological condition characterized by difficulties in translating thoughts into written language, despite exposure to adequate instruction and education. It is considered a learning difference, and its symptoms can manifest at different ages, making it a complex and multifaceted condition. To establish my expertise, I'll delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:

Fine Motor Skills:
- Fine motor skills are crucial for the physical act of writing. Individuals with dysgraphia may experience challenges in the coordination and control of small muscles, impacting their ability to write legibly.
Spatial Perception:
- Spatial perception, or the ability to perceive the space around oneself, is essential for organizing written information on a page. Dysgraphia may involve difficulties in spatial perception, leading to issues with layout and spacing in written work.
Working Memory:
- Working memory, the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind, is integral to the writing process. Dysgraphia may affect working memory, making it challenging for individuals to organize and express their thoughts coherently in writing.
Orthographic Coding:
- Orthographic coding refers to the ability to form, store, and recall letters, numbers, and symbols. Dysgraphia may impact this coding process, affecting an individual's ability to produce written language accurately.
Language Processing:
- Language processing is a fundamental aspect of writing. Individuals with dysgraphia may experience difficulties in processing language, leading to challenges in translating thoughts into written words.
Conceptualization and Organization:
- Dysgraphia involves difficulties in conceptualization and organization, affecting the overall structure and coherence of written expression.
Developmental Dysgraphia vs. Acquired Dysgraphia:
- Developmental dysgraphia appears during the initial stages of learning to write, while acquired dysgraphia can occur suddenly after head or brain trauma.
Dyslexia vs. Dysgraphia:
- Dyslexia and dysgraphia are distinct conditions. Dyslexia primarily affects reading skills, while dysgraphia is specific to difficulties in writing, including physical writing and organizing thoughts.
Dysgraphia and Autism:
- Dysgraphia is not a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although it can commonly co-occur with ASD. The article emphasizes the differences between dysgraphia and ASD, highlighting that one can have dysgraphia without autism.
Prevalence of Dysgraphia:
- Dysgraphia can affect both children and adults, with a higher prevalence in males than females. It is often associated with other neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Commonality and Diagnosis:
- Dysgraphia is common, with estimated prevalence ranging from 5% to 20%. The variability in estimates is attributed to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis, emphasizing the need for accurate identification and intervention.

In summary, dysgraphia is a multifaceted condition that involves various cognitive processes and skills related to writing. Understanding its nuances and distinguishing it from other conditions such as dyslexia and autism is essential for effective diagnosis and support.