What is it?
Dysgraphia is a learning difficulty affecting writing skills. Students may struggle with spelling, handwriting, and organising letters, words, or numbers on a page.
How can I identify it?
You might notice students:
- Produce untidy or inconsistent handwriting.
- Struggle to organise ideas on paper.
- Take a long time to complete written work.
- Have difficulty copying from the board.
How can I support this student?
- Allow typing instead of handwriting where possible.
- Break tasks into short, clear steps.
- Provide templates or lined paper to guide writing.
- Focus on content rather than neatness for assessment.
How can other students support?
- Offer to read what they’ve written if they struggle.
- Be patient with messy or incomplete work.
- Collaborate on written tasks using digital tools.
- Provide encouragement for ideas and effort.
Hints and Tips
- Encourage oral planning before writing.
- Encourage students to use spell-checkers or writing software.
- Give extra time for writing assignments.
- Celebrate progress, not just final results.
For more in the Neurodiversity Series
How to Support students with Reading Difficulties
What is Dysgraphia: Writing Challenges Explained
What is Dyscalculia: Helping Students Navigate Numbers
Understanding students living with ADHD
Dyspraxia: Coordination and Organisation
What is Special Learning Disabilities (SLD)
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)