Page 2 - TL Extra Oct 2016

2TT • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016 EXTRA ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
succeeding in the face of adversity}
The help of parents, teachers and educators, through different methods of teaching and practice, can help children overcome dysgraphia.
Dysgraphia is a deficiency in the ability to write. While dysgraphia is mostly asso- ciated with impaired hand- writing, it also can involve an inability of the brain to store and process written words and then elicit the proper finger sequences and muscle movement to actually write words down on paper.
The word “dysgraph- ia” comes from the Greek words “dys,” meaning “im- paired,” and “graphia,” meaning “writing by hand.” According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America, a person with dys- graphia may have problems with inconsistent spacing, poor spatial planning on paper, poor spelling and difficulty writing, as well as difficulty thinking and writ- ing at the same time.
Experts aren’t sure what causes dysgraphia. There might be a delay in the re- trieval of information from short- or long-term memo- ry and organizational abil- ities before beginning to write. A genetic component also may come into play.
This specific learning dis- order may appear separate- ly or occur in conjunction with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disor- der (ADHD). Whether or not dysgraphia is accompa- nied by other learning dis- abilities may determine the types of presentation.
• Dyslexic: Those with dyslexic dysgraphia produce illegible, spontaneously written work. They may be able to copy work well, but not write legibly on their own.
• Motor: A person with motor dysgraphia has poor fine motor skills, poor dex- terity and poor muscle tone. Letter formation may be fine in short writing sam- ples, but that formation deteriorates when asked to write lengthier assignments. Motor dysgraphia can cause arthritislike tensing of the hand. This type of dys- graphia typically stems from problems with fine motor skills.
• Spatial: An individu- al with spatial dysgraphia cannot understand space well. Written work may be improperly spaced and il- legible. Drawing abilities also may be compromised.
Certain indications of dysgraphia may become ev- ident when a child begins to learn how to read and write. This is when the condition may first be noticed, but it could be mistaken for
Overcoming
OBSTACLES
Decoding dysgraphia, a lesser-known learning disability
Many people are familiar with — or have at least heard of — dyslexia, a condition that can affect a person’s ability to read and comprehend
the written word. Few may be as knowledgeable about dysgraphia, another learning disability that can affect language skills.
Dysgraphia is a deficiency in the ability to write. It also can involve an inability of the brain to store and process written words and then elicit the proper finger sequences and muscle movement to actually write words down on paper.
Working with tablets and other technology in the classroom can be a good way to help with dysgraphia.
another issue unless educa- tors and doctors are knowl- edgeable about dysgraphia. Some signs to watch for in- clude:
• Illegible printing and cur- sive writing;
• Unfinished words or letters;
• Omitted words in writing assignments;
• Inconsistent spacing be- tween words and letters;
• Inconsistencies in writing style, including mixtures of print and cursive letters, up- percase and lowercase words, and irregular shapes or slants of letters;
• Difficulty visualizing letter formation prior to writing; and
• Strange wrist, body or paper positions.
Parents, therapists and ed- ucators must work together to accommodate the needs of a student with dysgraphia. Reducing copying aspects of work, allowing affected stu- dents to use recorders or note takers, and having them take oral exams rather than written ones can help. An increase in the use of tablets and laptops in the classroom may also assist those with dysgraphia, as such assign- ments have reduced reliance on written work.
— Courtesy of Metro Creative