Dysgraphia and Writing Disorders

These flashcards cover the key concepts and terminology related to dysgraphia and writing disorders as discussed in the lecture notes.

Dysgraphia

A disorder of writing ability that affects letter formation, legibility, spelling, and composition.

Fine Motor Coordination

The ability to use small muscles to perform tasks, important in writing.

Dysgraphia SLD with Written Expression

A term used in the field for impairment in text production, primarily due to motor control.

National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP)

A program that assesses the writing ability of students in the U.S.

Tablet Mode Difference

Lower performance observed in writing tests when switching from laptops to tablets.

Socioeconomic Status

A social standing or class that can affect a student's writing ability.

Executive Function

Cognitive processes important for planning, organizing, and executing tasks, including writing.

Composition

The act of writing or creating text, integrating various language functions.

Transcription

The process of translating linguistic representations into written symbols, including handwriting and spelling.

Text Generation

Transforming thoughts into written language at various levels (words, sentences, discourse).

Automatic Letter Writing

The ability to write letters fluidly, which predicts text length and quality.

Developmental Coordination Disorder

A disorder characterized by poor motor skills, which can affect handwriting.

Phonological Skills

The ability to understand and manipulate the sound structure of language, crucial for spelling.

Surface Dyslexia

A writing impairment related to dyslexia, particularly in spelling irregular words.

Graphomotor Dysgraphia

Writing impairment attributed to motor control issues, often linked to apraxia.

COPS Strategy

A self-monitoring strategy for editing which stands for Capitalization, Organization, Punctuation, and Spelling.

Working Memory

The ability to hold and manipulate information in mind, essential in writing tasks.

Spatial Production

Ability to visualize and produce spatial arrangements in writing.

Flanagan & Miller, 2025

Researchers who reported on characteristics of students with disabilities in written expression.

Oral and Written Language Relationship

The interconnection between oral language skills and writing abilities.

Motor Output Speed

The speed at which a person can physically write, measured in letters per minute.

Editing Ineffectiveness

The difficulty LD writers have in understanding what makes their text problematic.

Severity Levels in Writing Disorder

Classifications of writing difficulties ranging from mild to severe based on the degree of support needed.

Remediation

Specific interventions designed to decrease the severity of a student’s writing disability.

Graphic Organizers

Visual aids for organizing thoughts and ideas before writing.

Accommodations in Education

Supportive resources provided to help students access mainstream curriculum without altering content.

Modifications in Education

Adaptations made to a student’s goals and objectives to accommodate their learning needs.

Typing vs. Handwriting

Comparative study of the cognitive effects and benefits of writing methods.

Dyslexic Dysgraphia

A writing impairment linked to dyslexic reading, resulting in challenges in writing.

Executive Function Difficulties

Struggles with tasks like monitoring and organization that affect writing performance.

Cognitive Constructs Essential to Writing

Key mental processes necessary for effective writing, including attention and planning.

Need for Interventions

The requirement for tailored support strategies in education for students with writing disorders.

Distraction in Writing

The challenge of maintaining focus on composition while managing mechanical skills.