Dysgraphia – “Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing, which requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills. Dysgraphia makes the act of writing difficult. It can lead to problems with spelling, poor handwriting, and putting thoughts on paper.” ~ National Center for Learning Disabilities
I just watched a webinar that I should have watched 10 years ago. It’s a must watch webinar that all Special Ed teachers and any service provider who work with individuals with Dysgraphia must watch! Wow… I thought I was educated on Matthew’s disability but sadly I was wrong. It’s a lot more than just “bad” handwriting and disorganization.
As many of you know, Matthew is attending the local community college here and currently taking 4 classes this semester. 3 of those classes require a major amount of writing. After watching this webinar I have learned much more about the disability and why Matthew has such problems with writing and tries to avoid it at all costs. I like many thought he was just lazy and didn’t give it enough effort, but there is a real reason to the idea he may be trying to avoid it.
At one point in the webinar the speaker stated that those with Dysgraphia use 4-16x the amount of brain power than it takes you or I. Think about that? How many of us feel spent after writing an email or memo at work, or a blog post? Now magnify that by 4-16x… Would you avoid all writing as well?
This very moment I am devastated that I am just learning all of this now, thinking how I have let him down over the years, how I didn’t get better tutors and supports for him when he needed it most, and I am moving to the “blaming myself” pity party. But, I know I can’t go down this path, so I will sit here write it all out and when I am done and this is posted I will start figuring out what my next step is to help him.
As parents we rely on the specialists, doctors, and teachers to help us understand our child’s disability and how best to help them. There are many reasons why, one being we are not educated in this field; we take what they give us at face value and pray our child is getting the proper support they need. Looking back, Matthew didn’t get the support he needed and he still does not now
I have known he’s needed and been working to get him the proper services to be supported in his college journey, and let me tell you it has not been easy as colleges don’t make it easy, but that is another blog for another day. However, I just didn’t realize the true “why” of it all until right this very moment.
My suggestion, become the expert, not just on your child, but on the disability as well. Yes, it’s a tall order. Yes, you’re tired because you have other children. Yes, you worked all day. Yes, you have had this appointment or that appointment. I have been in your shoes and some of these were my excuses as well. But I am telling you, right now, find a way and find the time, beyond what the professionals share with you to become the expert and learn the “why” of it all. You will not only be able to better advocate for your child but help them find success in life.