Dysgraphia

Help for Children with Dysgraphia

Palmar Reflex and Dysgraphia

Posted onAuthorMadeline Boss

As I embarked on a journey to understand various learning disabilities and primitive reflexes, I frequently pondered the connection between the Palmar Reflex and dysgraphia. Through extensive research and learning from numerous sources, I’ve distilled a simple explanation of this relationship.

Understanding the Palmar Reflex

The Palmar Reflex, otherwise known as the Grasp Reflex, is a primitive reflex we see in infants. It is shown when a baby grasps anything that touches their palm. This primitive reflex is developed in the third month of gestation and typically disappears when a baby is between 3 to 6 months in age. However, when this reflex persists beyond 6 months, it can lead to various challenges including:

·         Reduced dexterity

·         Impaired fine motor control

·         Poor hand-eye coordination

These issues can hinder a child’s ability to hold objects like pencils, contributing to the development of dysgraphia.

Exploring Dysgraphia

So, what is Dysgraphia? How is it different from Dyslexia? While Dyslexia is focused more on a child’s reading, Dysgraphia is more centered around a child’s handwriting. Children with dysgraphia struggle to translate their thoughts into written form, often becoming apparent in early schooling. While scientists aren’t completely sure what causes dysgraphia, it is clear that there is a link between children who have retained Palmar Reflex and children who develop Dysgraphia. The child’s struggles to properly grasp a pencil and use their fine motor skills lends to their struggles with writing, spelling and even with their typing. 

Identifying and Testing for Retained Palmar Reflex

         Now that we know what Dysgraphia and Retained Palmar Reflex are, what now? How do we determine if our child exhibits a Retained Palmar reflex? While testing for Dysgraphia can be difficult at times, there is a quick and simple test to show if your child may have Retained Palmar Reflex. 

1. Ask your child to extend their arms in front of them, keeping their arms straight and their palms facing up, fingers spread.

2. Using a gentle motion, stroke along the line in their palm that extends from the base of the thumb across to the wrist—this is known as the life line.

3. Repeat this stroking motion three times on each hand.

4. Look for any involuntary twitches in the fingers or bending of the elbows during the process.

If either hand or elbow shows movement, the reflex is most likely present. 

To discover strategies for helping your child overcome a Retained Palmar Reflex with practical exercises at home, visit: www.solvelearningdisabilities.com/retained-palmar-reflex/.

Dysgraphia

Posted onAuthorBarbara B.3 Comments

Dysgraphia, Dysgraphia Intervention, Dysgraphia Solutions, Learning Disabilities, Primitive Reflexes, Primitive Reflex Integration Dysgraphia? There is early intervention.

Dysgraphia is characterized by a difficulty in written expression. This generally includes very messy handwriting; poor spelling and reading skills; and a problem with words and ideas coming smoothly. These are all skills that are predominantly handles in the left side of the brain. Click here for a list of Dysgraphia Symptoms.

Dysgraphia is a brain-based disability. Contrary to what many think, it is not a lack of practice. Is a matter of fact, these children usually work much harder to accomplish the same writing assignments as their classmates. They generally put way more effort in, or get so frustrated that they start to withdraw and avoid it all together. It is so hard to watch them struggle with little or no improvement. Mommy and child usually end up crying at homework time.

Good News!

The good news is that there are interventions. Because Dysgraphia originates with a weakness in the brain function, it can be stimulated to improve with simple exercises. That’s right! In 1948 Jerzy Konorski, a Polish Neurologist, first introduced neuroplasticity, the brains ability to reorganize and rewire. It wasn’t until recently that tests and studies were done that proved his theory. We can rewire neurologically to solve problems.

Below, we will go into interventions you can do right at home to help reverse dysgraphia.

Short and Long term memory, as well as working memory play a very big roll in the ability to form letters, word, sentences and thoughts. There are many exercises online to help with these, so we won’t go into that here. Google ‘how to improve memory’ to find a lot of great idea.

Visual-Spatial ability is important very important in handwriting. There is a very good book by Dianna Craft called Smart Kids Who Hate To Write. We highly recommend this book for more info on the Visual-Spatial activities for handwriting.

Executive Function

After you see a good amount of improvement in the above areas, start working on games to help them improve organization. We do this last, because it is a higher function of the brain that may not have developed well if the other functions were lacking. Now that they have improved the other functions, it is time to help them with their Executive Functions, specifically Organization.

  • Get objects around the house that they can organize or sort and categorize in different ways.
  • Sit down and talk with them about something they are passionate about. Make mental lists and help them to organize and categorize them verbally or on paper. For example, if they love Legos, talk about the different Minifigures they make. Talk about some that could go in the same color category or some that go to the same movie or story. You could look up cute ones online and help them draw them in different groups in a note book. Anything you can do to get them organizing items and thoughts. It has been proven that children learn more and retain more if it is a subject they are passionate about.
  • Help them recall memories of past events or activities and put them into categories. For example outdoor activities & indoor activities or  birthday parties & school parties etc.

Try to do the interventions with them daily or at least a few time per week. Keep it within their attention span and use incentives.  It sounds like a lot to tackle, but just take it slow. Keep it fun. And enjoy the one-on-one time with your child. You are improving a life.

Dysgraphia Symptoms

Dysgraphia Symptoms, Symptoms of Dysgraphia, Learning DisabilityIf you notice that your child struggles with writing, Dysgraphia may be the reason why. Even holding a writing tool correctly can be difficult and your child may complain of their hand getting tired quickly. Children with Dysgraphia struggle to use their fine motor skills, the small muscles in their hands. Below is a list of Dysgraphia symptoms. Click here to read more about Dysgraphia.

 

Dysgraphia Symptoms

  • Handwriting is illegible
  • Letter sizes and shapes are irregular
  • Incomplete letters
  • Struggles to communicate through writing
  • Awkward pencil grip
  • Makes spelling mistakes often
  • Says words aloud while writing
  • Avoids writing or drawing
  • Missing or incomplete words in sentences
  • Trouble with grammar and sentence structure
  • Insufficient use of paper lines and spaces
  • Pain in hand or arm while writing
  • Tires easily when writing
  • Wanders outside the lines when coloring
  • Can’t get comfy when writing or drawing
  • Copying or writing is slow
  • Struggles to think and write at the same time
  • Struggles with fine motor skills
  • May have strong verbal and reading skills to compensate
  • Handwriting might be worse when chewing gum

 

Symptoms can vary from person to person and no two children are the same, so your child may also display different symptoms than the ones listed above. Despite your child’s diagnosis, these interventions can be helpful. You should consult a professional if you suspect your child has Dysgraphia. Difficulty with writing doesn’t need to hold your child back or reduce their self confidence. Seek support and treatment to ensure they are able to succeed and thrive both socially and academically.

Click here to read more about Dysgraphia

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Learning Disabilities and How to Help!

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    Retained Palmar Reflex or Grasp Reflex

    Primitive Reflex Testing

    The Palmar Reflex aka Grasp Reflex is seen when an infant grips around an object that touches their palm. This is normal and helps the baby learn to grip and hang on to things with their hands. The Palmar Reflex develops in the third month of gestation and should disappear at around 3-6 months of age as they gain hand control. It is needed for hand-eye coordination, proper vision, and direction/distance judgement.  If it isn’t properly integrated it can contribute to an array of problems.

     Retained Palmar Reflex Symptoms

    • Poor handwriting
    • Poor pencil grip
    • Poor fine muscle control
    • Poor dexterity
    • Poor fine motor skills
    • Poor vision coordination
    • Slumpy posture when using hands
    • Back aches when sitting
    • Sticks tongue out when using hands
    • Poor pencil grip
    • Poor ability to put thoughts to paper
    • Dysgraphia
    • Speech and language problems
    • Anger control issues
    • Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.

    . Read More …