Writing Issues

9 Terms to Know If Your Child Struggles With Writing Issues

Written by Erica Patino

you may already know that dysgraphia is a brain- based condition that makes thephysical act of writing difficult. Understanding the terms your child’s school anddoctors use can make it easier to help your child get the support he needs.

1. Orthographic coding

The ability to remember how to write a letter or word and then write the word orletter accurately. Children who have difficulty with orthographic coding will oftenforget how to form certain letters and may have trouble with spelling.

2. Disorder of written expression

A condition in which writing abilities fall below what’s expected, based on a person’s age and intelligence.This term is used interchangeably with “dysgraphia.”

3. Sequencing problems

Difficulty putting letters and numbers in the proper order. Kids with writing difficulties may write letters andnumbers backwards or out of order. This can lead to sloppy handwriting.

4. Working memory

Short-term memory, or the part of the brain that temporarily stores information before you react to it.Children with writing difficulties may have trouble retrieving information from their working memory becauseso much of their energy goes into the physical act of writing.

5. Graphic organizer

A visual tool to illustrate and map out ideas before writing (sometimes referred to as concept maps or mindmaps). Kids with writing issues might find graphic organizers helpful for outlining assignments beforewriting.

Fine motor skills

The abilities required to control small muscles, such as inthe hands and feet. Children with writing issues typicallyhave weak fine motor skills and find it hard to manipulateobjects like pencils and scissors.

6. Visual/spatial difficulties

Trouble making sense of what the eye sees. Children with writing issues might have visual/spatial difficultiesthat make it hard to read maps or differentiate left from right.

7. Language processing

Making sense of what the ear hears. Children with language processing issues may take longer tounderstand what they hear. When coupled with writing issues, language processing issues can make iteven more difficult to translate what’s heard into writing.

8. Sequential finger movement

Moving fingers in a particular order; for example, touching the thumb to the pinkie finger, then to the ringfinger, and so on. Handwriting requires this ability, but word processing doesn’t. That’s why many kids withwriting

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