Occupational Therapy for Dysgraphia

Boston Ability Center occupational therapists are often asked if they work with children who have dysgraphia - the answer is a resounding YES!

What Is Dysgraphia?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) includes dysgraphia under the “specific learning disorder” category, but doesn't define it as a separate disorder and doesn't have specific criteria for diagnosis. Instead, the DSM-5 uses the term "impairment in written expression." Occupational therapists do not diagnose dysgraphia.

Dysgraphia is often characterized by difficulty with handwriting, spelling, and organizing thoughts on paper. Kids with dysgraphia may have trouble forming letters, spacing words properly, and expressing ideas clearly in writing.

It's important to note that dysgraphia is not related to intelligence—children with dysgraphia often have average or above-average intelligence, but they struggle with the physical and mental aspects of writing.

What Are Common Signs of Dysgraphia?

• Poor handwriting (e.g. letters / words are formed incorrectly, sized or spaced inconsistently, and just generally hard to read)

• Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil properly or using scissors

• Slow or labored writing, even with simple / short handwriting tasks

• Trouble organizing written work (e.g. difficulty with sentence or paragraph structure)

• Difficulty with spelling (even very familiar words) or inconsistent spelling

• Avoidance of writing tasks or becoming easily frustrated with writing assignments

• Frequent erasing, crossing out, or messy papers due to frustration

  
  

How Can Occupational Therapists (OTs) Help Kids with Dysgraphia?

Occupational therapists are skilled in addressing the motor, sensory, and executive functioning aspects of dysgraphia. They can provide a variety of interventions and strategies to help kids improve their writing skills, as well as develop physical and emotional regulation skills to help them navigate challenging tasks.

Here are some ways OTs can assist children with dysgraphia:

1. OTs Improve Overall Fine Motor Skills:

   • OTs work with children to strengthen the fine motor skills necessary for writing, such as hand and finger coordination, grip strength, and dexterity.

   • They may use activities like stringing beads, completing puzzles, or doing exercises with resitive therapy putty to help children build the hand strength and finger control needed for holding a pencil and forming letters.

2. OTs Evaluate Your Child's Pencil Grip:

   • OTs teach children how to hold a pencil with a functional grip, which can help reduce discomfort and fatigue while writing.

   • They may also use adaptive tools, such as pencil grips or differently sized / shaped pencils, to assist with proper grip.

3. OTs Teach Handwriting Techniques and Strategies:

   • OTs can help children practice and improve letter formation, sizing, and spacing within the lines. They may use specialized handwriting programs (e.g. Handwriting Without Tears), experiment with different kinds of lined paper, and introduce other adaptations.

   • Since children with dysgraphia often tire easily from writing, OTs may suggest energy conservation strategies like breaking writing tasks into shorter segments, providing breaks, or using special writing tools to make the process less demanding.

4. OTs Aren't Afraid of Using Assistive Technology:

   • OTs may introduce children to tools like speech-to-text software, word processors, or audio recorders to help them express ideas without the physical barrier of handwriting.

   • These tools can reduce the burden of writing for children who struggle with the mechanics of it, yet can communicate their ideas verbally or via typing.

5. OTs Enhance Organizational Skills:

   • OTs can help children organize their thoughts and written work by using graphic organizers, checklists, or visual schedules.

   • They may break down the writing process into smaller, more manageable steps.

   • This support helps children structure their writing more clearly and coherently, reducing the stress associated with disorganized written work.

6. OTs Address Physical and Emotional Regulation Skills:

   • Some children with dysgraphia may also have sensory processing challenges that affect their ability to focus or engage with writing tasks. OTs can incorporate sensory integration techniques to help regulate the child’s attention and comfort while writing.

   • Writing difficulties can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. OTs work to create a positive, supportive, and FUN environment where children feel encouraged and motivated to improve their skills.

   • They may also collaborate with teachers and parents to develop strategies for creating a more supportive learning environment at school and at home.

The Importance of a Collaborative Approach

As mentioned above, BAC occupational therapists work closely alongside other professionals, such as educators and psychologists, to develop a comprehensive, individualized plan to support children with impairments in written expression. They can provide parents and teachers with specific strategies to help the child succeed in both academic and everyday settings.

Regardless of the presence of a formal diagnosis, occupational therapy intervention is about building skills, reducing frustration, and fostering greater independence in writing tasks. With the right interventions and support, we believe that children can maximize their abilities and gain more confidence in their academic work.