ALTERNATIVE LEARNERS

Dysgraphia and Writing

Many students identified as alternative learners struggle with written assignments. Some have difficulties in writing neatly. Others work very slowly in producing written materials and grapple more with the mechanics and organization of writing than on the content of assignments.

Occasionally, students are diagnosed with dysgraphia, a learning disability that affects writing skills. Difficulties may include problems with spelling, poor handwriting, and problems putting thoughts on paper. In addition to children diagnosed with dysgraphia,there are many students whose poor writing skills are having a significant impact upon their learning and/or their ability to display their knowledge. We recommend the following websites for more information on dysgraphia.

It is very common to hear of children with an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who have poor handwriting and experience negative feedback regarding their sloppy performance. There are many situations in which the process of writing itself interferes with children being able to learn material and express themselves effectively. These children are often quite knowledgeable but have problems with the speed and organization of their writing

Fortunately, there are numerous accommodations that can be made for children who experience difficulties with writing. Traditional classroom interventions include reducing the amount of written work assigned, providing extended time to complete assignments, or using organizational tools such as a rubric or model for writing assignments. Other strategies can be helpful, such as allowing children to respond orally to tests and providing help with note taking through the use of a scribe.

Technological strategies can be extremely helpful for youngsters with writing difficulties.  Accommodations that involve the development and use of keyboarding skills may be particularly helpful. This may assist children in overcoming some of the speed and neatness concerns that they encounter with handwriting. In addition, children are often more willing to type and edit, because it does not involve erasures and crossing out. Word processing skills allow children to utilize other technologies such as spell and grammar checks to assist them. A number of strategies enhance the degree that keyboarding helps children with writing difficulties. First and foremost, children must develop fast and accurate keyboarding skills.  Teaching children with writing difficulties to type at a very early age (as young as 7 to 8 years old) is strongly encouraged. Using widely-based computer software for teaching typing is suggested. There are also numerous game-based keyboarding programs that encourage children to practice their typing skills. Many of these are simple but fun games that require rapid processing and fast responses using the entire keyboard. As children get older and move into preadolescence and adolescence, parents are encouraged to have their children practice their typing and prose skills through e-mail, instant messaging, and texting on cell phones.  While each of these media has its own distinctive conventions they share the goal of clear communication with others.

Other digital technologies may also help.  This might include the use of dictation machinery, where the children can speak into a tape recorder and have a parent type their material onto a computer.  Speech recognition software and writing tools such as the Alpha Smart and Franklin speller may also be very helpful for youngsters with writing problems.

Digital Technologies and Strategies:

Dysgraphia and Writing Digital Technology List

• Keyboards for the classroom, including tools such as laptop computer or an Alpha Smart
• Voice recognition systems such as Dragon Naturally Speaking
  
  Strategies to increase visual processing, including:

• Cogmed Working Memory training
• Dance, Dance Revolution
• Kurzweil 3000
• Franklin Speller
• Computer software for reading, such as:
• Reader Rabbit
• Reading Blaster