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