Dysgraphia By Gavin Reid University of Edinburgh

Slide 1

Intervention:

• Cursive script -helps the writer move fluently across page unlike print script
• print script is usually upright and has circles
• cursive script has oval forms and slightly sloping uprights
• handwriting is a movement skill - movements once learned are difficult to change

Slide 2-4

Some principles:

• Has been suggested that letters should be correctly formed before child attempts free written work
• use of handhugger pencils
• fibre tips better than ball points
• sloping board can be useful
• posture -too close to paper can be a pointer to visual binocular instability or convergence difficulties
• Unlined paper can be difficult to use for children with spatial difficulties
• diagonal joins practised in - it at all ill in
• horizontal joins - on for wood win van run
• the over and back join precedes letters such as 'a' 'c' 'd' 'g' 'o' 'q' 's' for example 'mat' 'cat' 'hat' 'land' 'sand'
• quick assessment of joining skills in the following words - 'the' 'and' 'from' 'girl'
• Pupils self esteem important
• discuss hand correction - 4 S's
• slope, size, space, sitting on the line

Slide 5

Summary:

• Correct letter movements should be well established when the child begins to write
• joins can be introduced early
• progress can be monitored through handwriting conventions such as - regularity of letter size, spacing, slope and standardised free writing

Slide 6

References:

• Alston, J. (1995) Assessing and promoting writing skills, Amington, Tamworth: Nasen
• Handwriting Interest Group 6 Fyfield Road, Ongar, Essex CM5 OAH
• Dimensions of Dyslexia Vol. 2 Edited by Gavin Reid - http://www.gavinreiddyslexia.f2s.com for details