Man is unique in his ability to communicate ideas in symbolic language, and for centuries writing has been an important method of communication. Even in these days of self-correcting typewriters and the magic of computer word processing, written communication is a necessary competency. In school, it is the usual medium through which students convey to teachers what they have learned. In many situations, adults also find writing a necessity that they cannot avoid.

The word dysgraphia was coined from the Greek words dys meaning ill or difficult and graphein meaning to write, and is used to describe a severe problem with handwriting.

Dysgraphia can be identified by the following symptoms:

• Generally illegible writing.
• Letter inconsistencies.
• Mixture of upper/lower case letters or print/cursive letters.
• Irregular letter sizes and shapes.
• Unfinished letters.
• Struggle to use writing as a communicative tool.

“Difficulties in writing have an adverse impact on academic achievement in school and subsequently on business and industry. It is currently estimated that dysgraphia costs American industry and business $30 billion per year,” says Margaret J. Kay, a psychologist.

Dysgraphia and dyslexia overlap and often co-exist in the same person.

What Causes Dysgraphia?

As early as 1896 Baldwin noted that human learning is a stratified process. This implies that certain skills have to be mastered first, before it becomes possible to master subsequent skills. One has to learn to count before it becomes possible to learn to add and subtract. In the same way, there are skills that a child must have mastered first, before he or she will be proficient in handwriting. Unless these underlying shortcomings are addressed first, the child’s handwriting will not improve.

In her book Learning Disabilities: Theories, Diagnosis, and Teaching Strategies, Janet Lerner states that some of the underlying shortcomings that interfere with handwriting performance are (1.) poor motors skills, (2) faulty visual perception of letters and words, and (3.) difficulty in retaining visual impressions. The student’s problem may also be in cross-modal transfer from the visual to motor modalities.

Audiblox Dysgraphia Programme

Audiblox is a system of cognitive exercises, aimed at the development of foundational learning skills. It is effective for dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning difficulties. Audiblox can be applied one-on-one and in a group setting.

When Audiblox is applied on an individual basis, the Audiblox Dysgraphia programme is highly recommended for children who suffer from dysgraphia — with or without dyslexia. This programme places emphasis on the deficits that cause dysgraphia symptoms.

In order to follow the Audiblox Dysgraphia programme you will need an Audiblox kit. The programme appears in the supplementary manual. The exercises are explained in Part Two of the book The Right to Read and in the supplementary manual, and demonstrated on the Audiblox training DVD.