✍️ Does any of this sound familiar to you?

It might be dysgraphia—a learning difference that specifically affects writing.
Here are some of the common struggles parents and teachers notice:

• Written work is consistently harder than expected, with difficulties in spelling, spacing, and punctuation.
• Writing is “messy;” the student struggles with letter formation, letter-word spacing, staying in lines, capitalization, and punctuation.
• Teachers often notice the student is a phenomenal verbal communicator who thrives in discussions, but their writing assignments don’t reflect their intelligence or knowledge.
• Writing tasks take much longer than they should, even though the child may type quickly and efficiently.
• Paper-and-pencil work can make challenges more obvious, especially in classes where writing determines grades.
• On writing-based assessments, the student may leave out details they clearly know, showing a gap between what they understand and what they can get down on paper.
• The physical act of writing feels strenuous—handwriting is slow, effortful, and may even cause hand discomfort.
• Writing is often avoided or disliked, and the student may become frustrated or anxious when required to complete writing tasks.
• School-related anxiety can escalate, leading to school refusal, headaches, or stomachaches in the mornings.

What is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is a specific learning disorder that affects writing skills. It’s not about motivation or intelligence—many children with dysgraphia are bright, articulate, and socially skilled. The challenge lies in the mechanical process of writing: turning thoughts into organized, legible text on the page.

For some children, dysgraphia shows up as poor handwriting or slow written output. For others, it’s difficulty with spelling, grammar, and structuring sentences. These struggles can affect confidence and academic performance, even though the child may excel in other areas.

Why Early Identification Matters

Left unrecognized, dysgraphia can contribute to:

• Academic underachievement despite strong abilities
• High levels of stress and frustration with schoolwork
• Anxiety, avoidance of writing tasks, or even school refusal

With the right supports, however, students can thrive. Tools like typing accommodations, oral assessments, extra time, and explicit writing strategies can make a world of difference.

Moving Forward

If your child’s experiences sound similar to the challenges above, it may be helpful to consider a neuropsychological evaluation. At Minnesota Neuropsychology, we help families understand whether difficulties with writing stem from dysgraphia or something else, and we provide tailored recommendations to support your child both at school and at home.

👉 You are not alone—and your child’s strengths deserve to shine through.