Dysgraphia Factsheet
What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a mix of both difficulties and strengths and varies in degree from person to person.
Dysgraphia is a difficulty with handwriting, fine motor co-ordination, organisation and the presentation of
material. Potential strengths can include good verbal reasoning skills.
What are the difficulties associated with Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a mix of both difficulties and strengths and varies in degree from person to person.
Difficulties experienced may include:
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Students with dysgraphia may find it awkward to hold a pen and therefore writing can be painful
Writing can appear distorted with letters of different sizes
There are often difficulties following a straight line or keeping to a margin
There may be accompanying spelling difficulties and lack of motivation in relation to written expression
Difficulties performing tasks involving hand and eye co-ordination
Dysgraphia is often linked with dyspraxia and/or dyslexia
Lack of confidence
How may this impact on academic engagement?
The following are some of the characteristic effects of dysgraphia and other specific learning difficulties on
the learning process. The range of characteristics will differ from person to person.
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Taking longer to complete tasks than other students
Difficulties in organising work and other aspects of life
A weak perception of time, mixing up dates, times and appointments
Poor short-term memory leading to difficulties in carrying out instructions or copying from the
board and remembering what has just been read and/or said
Getting easily lost and having problems using maps or finding their way to a new place
Untidy handwriting with many crossings out
Errors when reading and spelling
Visual distortions such as blurring or moving letters
A short attention span and poor concentration
Particular susceptibility to stress which may be associated with deadlines or examinations
Student Service
Possible support strategies
The Disability Advisory Service offers advice on individual basis to students regarding support available to
them. The information below gives an overview of typical areas of support.
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One to one and group study skills support
Marking consideration for coursework and examinations
Personalised examination provisions such as extra time
Extended loans on library books
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Assistive software and training in the library
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Accessing support
Before we can put any arrangements in place, the Disability Advisory Service will need to have suitable
evidence of your diagnosis to ensure we are advising appropriately. Evidence of Dysgraphia should be in
the form of an adult diagnostic assessment completed after your 16th birthday by an Educational
Psychologist or a PATOSS approved Specialist Teacher.
If you think you have any of these difficulties and would like to discuss support options or would like to
investigate if you are showing signs of Dysgraphie, please contact [email protected] or telephone 0207
848 7018 to book an appointment or to request a screening for a specific learning difficulty.