What are Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia?
Does your child struggle to write and complete math problems effectively? Are your child’s teachers concerned about your child’s bad grades in math and English? Have you tried to assist your child with homework and yet no progress is made? If you answered yes to these questions, then your child might have dysgraphia or dyscalculia. Dysgraphia is described as a neurological condition that causes children to exhibit problems with writing and understanding letters, words, and sentences. This explains why kids with this condition might have illegible handwriting and reverse letters. Dyscalculia is a condition where a child struggles to learn and remember important math concepts.
Warning Signs of Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia signs vary by age and grade level of each child, but there are general symptoms you should look out for to see if your child has this condition. These signs include:
- Lack of interest in writing, coloring, or drawing
- Awkward positioning of pencils and other writing tools
- Problems with fine motor skills such as cutting with scissors, tying shoes, or picking up small objects
- Handwriting appears illegible
- Can’t stand writing assignments
- Struggles with writing on or between the lines
- Doesn’t color in between the lines consistently
If your child exhibits a lot of these signs on a regular basis, it’s time to bring him to a professional for an educational evaluation.
Warning Signs of Dyscalculia
Preschoolers with dyscalculia often struggle with learning to count and recognize patterns. Kids in elementary school might have difficulty in remembering basic math problems and concepts. He may also use his fingers to add and subtract numbers, and he often confuses mathematical symbols such as the division and equal sign. Understanding place value might also be a struggle for kids with dyscalculia.
How to Help Your Child
If you sense that your child struggles with dysgraphia or dyscalculia, then you want to get educational testing and an evaluation for him. After the diagnosis, learn everything you can about the condition. Seek out a tutor who is trained in helping kids with dysgraphia or dyscalculia. Don’t be harsh with your child but hold him accountable and set realistic expectations for his learning. Praise his efforts and small successes.
If you feel that your child would benefit from an educational evaluation and counseling, contact us. We can assist you in this journey and ensure that your child thrives.