What is dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder characterized by writing disabilities. Specifically, the disorder causes a person's writing to be distorted or incorrect. In children, the disorder generally emerges when they are first introduced to writing. They make inappropriately sized and spaced letters, or write wrong or misspelled words, despite thorough instruction. For example, writing "boy" for "child."
Children with the disorder may have other learning disabilities; however, they usually have no social or other academic problems. Cases of dysgraphia in adults generally occur after some trauma.
The cause of the disorder is unknown, but in adults, it is usually associated with damage to the parietal lobe of the brain.
Treatment varies and may focus on controlling writing movements and addressing impaired memory or other neurological problems. Some physicians recommend that individuals with dysgraphia use computers to avoid the problems of handwriting. Some individuals with the disorder improve their writing ability, but for others, the disorder persists.
How can I or my loved one help improve care for people with dysgraphia?
Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about dysgraphia and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.
All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.
For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with dysgraphia at Clinicaltrials.gov.
Where can I find more information about dysgraphia?
Information may be available from the following organization:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Phone: 203-744-0100 or 800-999-6673; 844-259-7178 Spanish