Dysgraphia and Dyslexia are both learning disabilities that can impact a child’s ability to engage in academic tasks and are primarily diagnosed by a Clinical or Educational Psychologist after adequate assessment. While both affect learning, they do so in different ways, and understanding these differences is key in supporting your child’s needs.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia primarily affects reading. It is linked to difficulties with phonological processing (the ability to recognise and manipulate sounds). Children with dyslexia may experience differences in the way they recognise and decode words, which can affect their reading fluency and comprehension. However, with the right strategies and support, they can develop effective ways to engage with texts and showcase their understanding.
Children with Dyslexia may require support with;
- phonemic awareness or recognising and manipulating sounds in words i.e. blending the sounds in the word “dog” (d-o-g) to say the whole word or break down the word “cat” into individual sounds: (c-a-t).
- spelling and word formation.
- decoding words, which can make reading aloud or silently slower and more difficult.
- understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, leading to errors when reading new words.
- reading comprehension, despite good listening skills.
What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia, on the other hand, impacts a child’s ability to write. It is often connected to fine motor control issues and challenges with organising thoughts when writing. It can affect various aspects of writing, including handwriting (spacing, sizing, forming and placing their words and letters), spelling, and the ability to structure ideas into written work. Children with dysgraphia may find that producing written work takes more time or effort compared to their peers, but with the right support, they can develop strategies to express their ideas effectively.
Children with Dysgraphia may require support with;
- producing legible handwriting: writing that is hard to read, with inconsistent letter sizes and spacing.
- spelling, even for familiar words.
- organising thoughts when writing, resulting in disorganised or incomplete sentences.
- fine motor skills: children with dysgraphia may have difficulty holding a pencil properly, with pencil control or using their hands effectively for writing tasks.
How does Occupational Therapy Support Children with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia?
Occupational therapy (OT) plays an important role in supporting children with both dyslexia and dysgraphia by addressing the functional challenges they face in school and daily life. However, as dyslexia and dysgraphia can have different impacts on function at home and school, the focus of OT can differ depending on the type of learning disability.
For children with dyslexia, OTs can support with:
- Strategies and tools; OTs can support children in trialling and finding the best supports for them.
- Visual perception and motor skills; Some individuals with dyslexia have difficulties with visual tracking or spatial orientation. OTs can support through activities and exercises to promote these skills, which may make it easier to follow text on a page or organise written work.
- Sensory supports: Some children with dyslexia benefit from sensory strategies or tools to help with attention (e.g., using a weighted blanket or noise-cancelling headphones to reduce distractions).
- Fine motor/ handwriting support: While dyslexia can primarily affect reading, many children may also require support with writing. Occupational therapists can provide handwriting programs that incorporate multi-sensory techniques to make learning to write easier.
- Self-esteem/ confidence; The challenges associated with dyslexia can lead to some children experiencing low self-esteem, diminished confidence, and reduced persistence when it comes to reading and writing tasks.
- Advocacy and recommendation across environments; OTs can support by providing education and recommendations to parents, teachers, and other strategies to ensure the child is supported across all environments.
For children with dysgraphia, OTs can support with:
- Fine motor/ handwriting support: OTs can work with children to improve handwriting legibility by supporting proper pencil grip, letter formation, sizing, placement, and spacing.
- Organisation and planning techniques; OTs can support children to learn and use scaffolds and structures that support planning and organising written work.
- Assistive technology: OT can help identify and implement tools like voice-to-text software, typing accommodations, or other assistive technology that can reduce the physical act of writing while still allowing children to express their ideas.
- Self-esteem & Confidence; The challenges associated with dysgraphia can lead to some children experiencing low self-esteem, diminished confidence, and reduced persistence when it comes to reading and writing tasks.
- Advocacy and recommendation of strategies; OTs can provide education and offer recommendations to parents, teachers, and other supports about dysgraphia, ensuring the child receives consistent support across all environments.
How Can Parents Support?
There are several strategies you can implement at home to help your child succeed, including:
- Provide structure and routine: Having a consistent schedule helps reduce anxiety around learning.
- Be open with your child; Educating children about their learning disability (at an age-appropriate level) can provide a sense of self understanding and lead to self-advocacy skills later.
- Be patient and encouraging: Both dyslexia and dysgraphia can be frustrating, so it’s important to create a supportive environment where your child feels safe to learn and make mistakes.
- Don’t compare; For children with learning disabilities, comparison to siblings or peers can significantly impact self-esteem and willingness to engage in learning tasks they find difficult. Stick away from discussing reading levels or outcomes and focus on little wins and effort.
- Work closely with educators and therapists: A collaborative approach ensures that your child receives the appropriate accommodations and interventions, both at school and home.
If you notice your child experiencing challenges with reading or writing, it can be helpful to reach out to an occupational therapist, educator, or psychologist for support that is tailored to their unique strengths and needs. With the right support, children with dyslexia and dysgraphia can build on their abilities and thrive, unlocking their full potential.
