Coping with Dysgraphia
See also: Writing SkillsOur page Understanding Dysgraphia explains that dysgraphia is one of the family of conditions known as specific learning difficulties. It affects the ability to write. This includes both the physical act of handwriting, and the ability to translate thoughts onto a page coherently.
People with dysgraphia have a range of issues with their writing. They may form letters incorrectly, struggle with spelling, or use incorrect spacing between words. They may use a mixture of upper and lower case letters and/or cursive and print handwriting.
Like dyslexia and dyscalculia, you cannot ‘recover’ from or ‘get over’ dysgraphia. This therefore means that it is crucial to find ways to cope. This page describes some useful strategies that you might try. Not all of them will work for you—but they are strategies that have worked for some people with dysgraphia.
Coping Strategies for Dysgraphia
There are different types of strategies that you can use to cope with dysgraphia. Some focus on improving your writing, and others are ‘workarounds’ to avoid having to write, or to help you to ‘bypass’ some of the neural pathways involved. There are also some more general strategies that are worth considering.
1. Strategies to improve your writing
Build up your muscle strength
When you want to get better at doing anything physical, you need to improve your muscle strength. It turns out that this is true of handwriting as well.
However, there may be more muscles involved than you would think.
It is, of course, important to build strength in your hands and wrists, for example, by kneading plasticine, or playing with a stress ball. However, people with dysgraphia often find that building up strength in their core (abdominal muscles), arms and shoulders is also very helpful in improving posture and ability to sit and write comfortably.
You might, for example, try doing strength training, yoga or Pilates (and our page on Types of Exercise explains more about different sorts of exercise). Swimming is also good for upper body strength and posture. Be careful not to do too much at once, though—our page on How to Exercise Safely and Effectively provides some useful tips.
‘Warm up’ your hands and fingers before you start
Just as athletes warm up their bodies before competing, you may find it helps to ‘warm up’ your hands before you start writing.
Stretch and wiggle your fingers, rotate your wrists, shake your hands about, and generally get your hand muscles moving. Some people find it is helpful to squeeze a stress ball or piece of plasticine, or play with a fidget toy. Anything to get your fine motor skills going.
It may also be a good idea to get your blood moving more generally. You could try doing a bit of jumping or running before starting to write. Swinging your arms will also move the blood down into your fingers, again getting them ready for work.
Experiment with different types of writing implement
Try writing with pens and pencils that are different thicknesses and lengths.
You may find shorter writing implements easier to manipulate, particularly if you have relatively small hands. You may also find fatter ones are easier to hold, so you don’t have to grip as tightly, making writing easier for your muscles. You can also get pens with rubber (or similar) grips that are easier to hold.
Try different kinds of paper
Some people also suggest that different types of paper may be helpful.
For example, paper with thicker or raised lines may be easier to manage. You might also find that squared paper is helpful for spacing letters. Some people even find that different coloured paper makes a difference—which makes sense because this is a common accommodation for people with dyslexia.
Write in cursive (joined-up), not print
This may sound counterintuitive, but it makes sense.
We generally think of printing as easier to manage than cursive handwriting. However, people with dysgraphia sometimes find that they can achieve more reliable letter spacing when writing in cursive script, because the letters flow together more naturally.
2. Strategies to avoid having to write or ‘bypass’ dysgraphia
Use a computer—and learn to touch-type
One of the best ways to avoid having to write is to use a computer.
However, it is also important that you learn to touch-type to give you maximum speed and comfort while typing. There are touch-typing tutor programmes available and using one will give you a head start.
You can also try using speech-to-text software. Many people with dysgraphia find it easier to organise their thoughts out loud than on paper, even on a computer, so this may be a helpful addition to your ‘toolkit’.
Spell words out loud
Many people with dysgraphia find that written spelling is a challenge.
You can get round this by spelling words out loud, because this skill is not affected by dysgraphia. Spell a word out loud either before or as you write it down to bypass your dysgraphia.
Brainstorm ideas first
In some people, dysgraphia affects their ability to organise words and sentences—and therefore ideas—on paper.
Brainstorming ideas first allows your brain to ‘warm up’, a bit like doing finger exercises before writing.
This may help you to express your ideas more fluently on paper. You may also like to make an audio recording of your brainstorming, and even order your thoughts out loud before starting on paper.
Use plans, outlines and drafts
A bit like brainstorming, using outlines and drafts can help you to organise your ideas.
It may be helpful to brainstorm ideas first, then prepare an outline, then start to fill it in with more text. Ideally at this point, you will be using a computer, because this allows for more effective editing and organising as you go. It also means that there is less pressure to get everything right on your first draft.
3. Other useful supports and assistance
Record lessons, lectures or instructions on an audio device
This is especially useful if you are being expected to take notes, because it gives you an additional record.
This means that you don’t have to write or type so fast to keep up, or try to listen, process and decide what to write all at the same time.
You can even use transcription software to generate your own notes of the session—though it is probably a good idea to read it over and check for accuracy. You may also find it helpful to highlight the key points and remove ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’ from the transcript.
Be aware of lighting and noise and change it if necessary
Many people with dysgraphia also have issues with sensory processing.
This means that lights and noise can affect their ability to concentrate and manage handwriting. Being in a cluttered space can also be a problem.
Try to minimise this type of distraction and issue for yourself, asking for help if necessary.
And Finally...
Always be prepared to ask for accommodations to be made for you.
It is perfectly reasonable to ask for accommodations in school and college, for both lessons and exams. It is also reasonable to ask your employer to make accommodations when you start work.
Anything that ‘re-levels’ the playing field for you compared with your peers is reasonable to request. At school or college, this might include extra time, because it takes you longer to write tests and exams. You may also be able to use a computer in both lessons and exams. This will enable you to write more clearly, and also edit your work later. Once you start work, you can ask to take an audio device to meetings, or routinely use transcription or voice-to-text software.
Remember, you don’t need to struggle, especially when there is technology available that can help.