Dysgraphia

[Rita]

My son was just diagnosed with this at school today .. hand writing so horrible (being a lefty) that the teachers can't read it Very slow and still a mess ... Was told from now on he is to do all his homework on the computer How is that going to help him with his hand writing ?

honor roll student but he is holding up the class trying to do a better job writing

[Wrennie]

Never heard of it.
Make him practice his writing at home. Doing it on the computer is all for the teachers benefit not his.

[Rita]

Thats the problem as much as he practices he don't get any better ... Its Really pretty bad ... as he holds up the whole class

[Shelly]

I understand the teachers have to be able to read it but doing it on the computer sure won't help him. Did ya google Dysgraphia to see if there is any info that can help him?

[Rita]

Yes the info I found was basically telling me to get a portable word processor for him ... Also saying that it may be something he will grow out of .. as far as what the 6 counselors said when I was there that they feel it would give him a little boost in his confidence beings that this seems to be the only thing holding him back.

[Shelly]

Wow, it looks like there is not much you can do to help him. Poor kid. I found this on Wikipedia...

Treatment

Treatment for dysgraphia varies and may include treatment for motor disorders to help control writing movements. Other treatments may address impaired memory or other neurological problems. Some physicians recommend that individuals with dysgraphia use computers to avoid the problems of handwriting.

Occupational therapy could be considered to strengthen muscle tone, improve dexterity, and evaluate eye-hand coordination. Dysgraphic children should also be evaluated for ambidexterity, which can delay fine motor skills in early childhood.

Often small things can help students with dysgraphia, such as allowing them to use a preferred writing utensil or allowing them to submit typewritten work instead of requiring their work to be handwritten.

Suggestions for teachers and parents:[citation needed]

1. Use of small pencils (a typical pencil cut in thirds) golf pencils, or triangular shaped pencils all promote a functional grip. Jumbo pencils are useful for individuals with tremors or some types of cerebral palsy.
2. Ensure that solid handwriting instruction has taken place. The student should be able to tell how each letter is made using the same verbiage as the teacher.
3. Before the student begins to compose a paper, have them engage in prewriting activities such as webbing, or verbalizing what they will write about.
4. Use pre-lined paper that has yellow highlighting where the words are supposed to go
5. Allow students extra time to complete in-class assignments; otherwise they won't get the benefit of the instructional practice
6. Get students keyboarding early on
7. Allow students to use laptop or other computer for class work
8. Allow children to dictate to an adult; they can then recopy if necessary
9. Allow children to dictate into a tape recorder; they or an adult can transcribe later. This allows the creative output process to occur without being stopped by the execution problem.
10. a computer equipped with a speech recognition system can be a huge asset, but it can be difficult to find a quiet space in which to use it.

Hopefully you can possibly find more/better info. Cause by the way this reads he should be using a computer even in the classroom, that stinks.

[Shelly]

I see their point a portable word processor would help his confidence by him not holding the class up. Too bad though that there is not much else u can do. If it works it is worth it and congrats on him being an honor student!

[Rita]

Yes it does stink ..
He does use both hands all the time too ...
The school is trying to find a processor for him to use in class ..
I also found some online typing classes for kids so he can improve his skills ..
He is also my OCD child so it does bother him that his writing is so bad and he HATES holding up the class so he can finish his work

[Rita]

Yes he is a very good student .. I am not a big fan of him being treated different in class .. but really for a second grader he should have writing that is at least legible Poor thing ..

[Shelly]

I feel for you and him. Being ambidextrous is not a good thing in his case Your doing a great job trying to help him! It is inevitable that he will be treated different but if the teachers explain it is OK, not a bad thing, and he is just special in his own way it should be fine. If they give negative feelings about it to him or the class that is a NO-NO. Hey, if he likes baseball and is good at it he could be a great switch hitter!!! Not many can do that!

[Rita]

Yeah right Maybe one day he will like sports
It is odd and I have really never seen or heard of anything like it but I will do whatever it takes to help him be the best he can be .. And Yes I will continue to make him write on paper as well .. he will have to figure it out .. at times he will have no choice but to write and It IS an important thing to know and learn at continue to try and make better

[ghoststomper]

Rita , I am sorry to hear your son is dealing with that , he will get through it because he has a very loving family and prayers and good thoughts being sent his way from a lot of people too. Sending a big hug to your son and prayers for strength for all of you too.

[Rita]

Thanks Kelly .. This is going to be a long trial but we will get through it .. we ALWAYS do ..

[Deleted]

Rita, it ain't gonna be easy, but he will come around one day all at once.
Our son has ADD and is ambidextrous,but he uses his left hand most of the time.
The ADD is a real pain for him because it's hard for him to remember things like the other kids.....he's commin along a little at a time......it just takes time..........good luck to ya.

[Rita]

My oldest son also has ADHD with ODD Very big challenge .. tough customer that one But the older he gets the better he gets like his brain is just catching up to him ...
Nick will get through this he still has a great attitude and is willing to try new things!!

[spuds]

We had a family friend with a bad speech impediment.With awesome professional help it went away until today you would never know it happened.

So hopefully that same result will come your way,a nice prayer sent for the little fella!