Dysgraphia vs. Dyslexia

Children who struggle with writing and reading often face challenges that go beyond simply having difficulty with schoolwork. Two common learning disabilities that may affect a child’s ability to perform in academic settings are dysgraphia and dyslexia. Although both can have a significant impact on a child's academic and personal life, they are distinct disorders with different underlying causes and symptoms. 

What Is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects writing skills. It impacts the physical act of writing, including letter formation, spacing, and even the act of spelling words correctly. Children with dysgraphia often struggle with fine motor skills, making it difficult for them to form letters and words legibly. This disorder can also influence writing assignments, making them laborious and time-consuming. The motor difficulties that accompany dysgraphia can extend to tasks like copying from the board or maintaining neatness in handwriting.

What Is Dyslexia?

On the other hand, dyslexia is a language-based learning disability primarily related to difficulties in language processing. It often manifests as challenges with reading and writing, particularly with recognizing letters and words. Children with dyslexia may have trouble decoding words, understanding written text, or remembering spelling words correctly. Dyslexia can also affect a child’s ability to connect sounds to letters, making reading and understanding text a significant hurdle. While dysgraphia affects written language, dyslexia influences reading comprehension, fluency, and decoding abilities.

What Are the Differences Between Dysgraphia and Dyslexia?

Nature of the Disorder

• Dysgraphia: Primarily affects the physical act of writing, such as letter formation, fine motor coordination, and writing fluency.
• Dyslexia: Affects reading and language processing, including the ability to recognize words, decode them, and understand written material.

Symptoms

• Dysgraphia Symptoms:
  
  • Illegible handwriting or poor spelling.
  • Difficulty with letter formation and spacing.
  • Struggles with organizing thoughts on paper.
  • Slow writing speed and difficulty keeping up with written assignments.
  • Complaints of physical discomfort while writing (e.g., hand cramps).
• Dyslexia Symptoms:
  
  • Difficulty with reading comprehension and decoding words.
  • Slow reading speed and frequent errors when reading aloud.
  • Struggles with spelling words and remembering sight words.
  • Problems with working memory related to reading tasks.
  • Difficulty following directions or organizing thoughts in spoken or written language.

Cognitive Skills

• Dysgraphia: Primarily affects fine motor skills and working memory related to writing tasks. The brain struggles to convert thoughts into written words smoothly, even if the ideas are clear.
• Dyslexia: Impacts language processing, making it hard to map spoken sounds to written symbols. However, cognitive functions unrelated to reading and writing, such as mathematical abilities and general intelligence, typically remain unaffected.

What Are the Similarities Between Dysgraphia and Dyslexia?

Although dysgraphia and dyslexia are distinct learning disabilities, they share several common traits that can make it challenging for children to succeed academically. Understanding these similarities can help parents and educators better support children with both disorders.

Impact on Academic Performance: Both dysgraphia and dyslexia affect a child’s ability to engage fully with their schoolwork, particularly in subjects that require significant amounts of writing or reading. Children with either disorder may struggle to complete writing assignments, and their learning difficulties can lead to frustration, stress, and a lack of confidence.

Co-occurring Issues: Dysgraphia and dyslexia often co-occur. Many children who have dyslexia (difficulty with reading and language processing) may also exhibit signs of dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting and fine motor skills). This can make the learning process more complex, as both conditions affect different aspects of written language, creating a compounding effect on academic tasks.

Difficulty with Written Language: Both disorders affect written language in different ways. In dysgraphia, the focus is on the physical act of writing, including challenges with letter formation, spelling, and writing fluency. In dyslexia, the main challenge is with decoding words and reading comprehension, but writing can also be affected due to difficulties with language processing. This makes tasks that require both reading and writing particularly challenging for children with either or both conditions.

Increased Frustration and Anxiety: Children with dysgraphia and dyslexia often experience anxiety and frustration related to academic performance. Additionally, working memory problems are common in both conditions, making it more challenging for children to organize their thoughts and complete tasks efficiently.

Need for Specialized Support: Both dysgraphia and dyslexia benefit from targeted interventions and specialized support. For example, structured literacy programs can help children with dyslexia improve their reading and writing skills, while occupational therapy can address the fine motor issues associated with dysgraphia. In many cases, a combination of strategies for both writing and reading challenges is necessary to help children manage both disorders.

Influence of Genetics: There is evidence to suggest that both dysgraphia and dyslexia have genetic components. Family history of learning disabilities or language disorders can increase the likelihood of a child developing one or both of these conditions.

What Is the Connection Between Dysgraphia and Dyslexia?

It's important to note that dysgraphia and dyslexia often do not occur in isolation. Children with dysgraphia may also experience dyslexia or other language disorders, contributing to a more complex learning profile. For example, a child may struggle with both reading and writing, affecting their ability to engage with written language effectively. Additionally, ADHD and anxiety disorders are commonly seen in children with learning disabilities like dyslexia and dysgraphia.

Research shows that the heterotypic comorbidity of conditions like ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and specific learning disabilities—such as dyslexia and dysgraphia—are prevalent in children and adolescents. These comorbidities further complicate the learning process, requiring individualized treatment approaches to address each child’s unique needs.

How Do You Treat Dysgraphia and Dyslexia?

Dysgraphia Treatment

• Occupational Therapy: Working on improving fine motor skills and handwriting techniques is a key component of dysgraphia treatment.
• Keyboarding and Assistive Technology: Using computers or tablets for writing can bypass some of the physical difficulties, allowing the child to focus on content generation rather than letter formation.
• Explicit Instruction in Writing: Children with dysgraphia benefit from structured writing instruction, including strategies for organizing ideas and focusing on spelling words correctly.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: To address distress and emotional regulation coping skills that can be associated with the disorder and can impede learning. 

Dyslexia Treatment

• Structured Literacy Programs: Programs like Orton-Gillingham or Wilson Reading System are specifically designed to help children with dyslexia develop language processing skills.
• Reading Interventions: Phonics-based instruction, which emphasizes the relationship between letters and sounds, can significantly improve a child’s reading ability.
• Assistive Technology for Reading: Text-to-speech software and audiobooks can help children with dyslexia access written material more easily.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: To address distress and emotional regulation coping skills that can be associated with the disorder and can impede learning. 

How Can You Help Someone with Dysgraphia and Dyslexia?

Parents play a crucial role in supporting children with learning difficulties. Here are some strategies to help:

• Create a Positive Learning Environment: Encourage reading and writing at home with age-appropriate materials that interest your child. This can help make learning more engaging.
• Use Technology: Leverage assistive tools like speech-to-text software for writing and audiobooks for reading. While these tools are certainly helpful, ensure your child also gets plenty of fresh air and sunshine for their well-being. A nutrient-dense diet, sufficient sleep and play are also important factors that shouldn’t be minimized. 
• Encourage Organizational Skills: Help your child organize their school materials and break down assignments into manageable tasks. Use graphic organizers or checklists to keep them on track.
• Provide Emotional Support: Children with dysgraphia and dyslexia often experience frustration. Offering emotional support and understanding can help them navigate academic challenges with confidence.

Next Steps

While both dysgraphia and dyslexia can present challenges in a child’s educational journey, understanding the differences between these two disorders is key to finding the right treatment and support. Dysgraphia mainly affects writing and fine motor skills, while dyslexia impacts reading and language processing. Early identification, tailored interventions, and a supportive home environment are essential to help children with these learning disabilities thrive academically and emotionally. With the right strategies and support, children can overcome their challenges and reach their full potential. For support with related emotional stressors and concerns, reach out to schedule a free consultation today with a licensed Handspring therapist.