Dysgraphia: Helping Children Overcome Handwriting Difficulties

Presented by Jenny L. Clark

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Illegible handwriting, also known as dysgraphia, is the primary reason for referrals to therapists practicing in school-based settings. Although handwriting instruction is the responsibility of teachers, the therapist's role is in the identification of the motor, sensory, and perceptual deficits underlying dysgraphia. In this course you will learn signs and symptoms of the three different types of dysgraphia and be able to identify functional handwriting challenges in school-age children. Assessment tools used to determine recognition of dysgraphia will be discussed with specific case examples. Viewers will ascertain a variety of remedial activities along with functional adaptations that can be used to assist children with success in functional written communication skills for scholastic achievement.

Meet your instructor

Jenny L. Clark

Jenny L. Clark, OTR/L, has helped children for the past 30 years as a licensed pediatric occupational therapist, working as a speaker, school-based occupational therapist, consultant, private practitioner at her own clinic (Jenny’s Kids, Inc.), independent contractor for early intervention services, author, and inventor.…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Evidence-Based Characteristics of Dysgraphia

1. Evidence-Based Characteristics of Dysgraphia

In the first chapter of this course, Jenny Clark discusses neurological characteristics and causes of dysgraphia. Participants will identify the statistical impact dysgraphia has on a child’s functional performance in school. Clark reviews the signs and symptoms of dysgraphia for clear identification.

Recognizing Dysgraphia in Children

2. Recognizing Dysgraphia in Children

Participants will learn to differentiate between the three types of dysgraphia: dyslexic, motor, and spatial dysgraphia. They will learn to select specific assessment tools to ascertain dysgraphia indicators and develop a repertoire of clinical observations to supplement evaluation information.

Implementing Intervention Strategies

3. Implementing Intervention Strategies

Jenny Clark demonstrates how to develop a list of compensatory strategies for accommodations and modifications that can be implemented in the school setting. Participants will learn how to apply technology tools for practical use to help students with successful academic achievement. They will be able to implement remedial strategies to address dysgraphia needs for productive outcomes.

Case Studies

4. Case Studies

Through case studies, participants will understand how skilled clinical reasoning impacts outcomes for motor, spatial, and dyslexic dysgraphia.