Difference Between Dyslexia and Dysgraphia

Dyslexia and dysgraphia are two learning disorders that affect a person's ability to read and write. Although they may have some similarities, they are different conditions with distinct characteristics. In this essay, we will explore the differences between dyslexia and dysgraphia, including their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a reading disorder that affects a person's ability to decode and comprehend written language. Dyslexic individuals may have difficulty recognizing words, reading fluently, and understanding what they read. They may also struggle with spelling, writing, and expressing themselves verbally. Dyslexia affects approximately 10% of the population and is more common in males than females.

The causes of dyslexia are not fully understood, but research suggests that it is a neurological disorder that affects the way the brain processes language. People with dyslexia may have difficulty with phonological processing, which is the ability to identify and manipulate the sounds in language. They may also have difficulty with working memory, which is the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind.

Diagnosis − The condition is often diagnosed in early childhood once the child starts school and usually the reading and language is evaluated through a series of tests. Children who have difficulty processing sounds are said to have a deficit in phonological processing, which means the child has dyslexia. It is important that the hearing and vision of the child is also tested and other possible causes for the reading difficulties are eliminated.

Causes − The cause is thought to be related to problems that arose in the brain during development. Parts of the brain that concern language such as Wernicke and Broca areas are thought to be dysfunctional resulting in dyslexia. Problems in other regions of the brain are also believed to be involved in causing the condition. It also appears to be partly genetic since dyslexia does run in families.

Risk factors − The condition is inherited often, so children born into families where dyslexia is present are more likely to have the condition. Dyslexia is also more frequently diagnosed and present in boys than in girls.

Treatment − The treatment includes instruction on how words sound, and how sounds join together to form words. The use of additional methods such as audio books may also be helpful for students.

What is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia, on the other hand, is a writing disorder that affects a person's ability to produce written language. Dysgraphic individuals may have difficulty with handwriting, spelling, and expressing themselves in written form. They may also struggle with organizing their thoughts and writing coherent sentences and paragraphs. Dysgraphia affects approximately 5% of the population and is more common in boys than girls.

The causes of dysgraphia are also not fully understood, but research suggests that it may be related to problems with fine motor skills or visual-spatial processing. Dysgraphic individuals may have difficulty with hand-eye coordination, which can affect their ability to write legibly. They may also have difficulty with visual-spatial processing, which can affect their ability to organize information on a page.

Diagnosis − Diagnosis is made when a child is evaluated by a psychologist who will give the child various tests to determine how well and easily they can write. Motor skills should also be tested to determine if that is not part of the problem. The problem may also be diagnosed in adults who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Causes − Dysgraphia can be caused by a problem with language. However, the problem may not be caused by a language issue but rather problems with motor skills in some cases. Scientists do not know for certain what the cause of dysgraphia is in children although it seems to co-occur often with other disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD and autism. Dysgraphia can occur in adults who have suffered a brain trauma which suggests that it could be due to a problem in the development of the child’s brain.

Risk factors − There is little information available on what would increase the risk of a child developing dysgraphia. It is worth noting though that most children just learning to write will show the condition, but most will develop normal handwriting by grade 3. It does also often co- occur with other learning problems, so having ADHD or dyslexia may increase the risk of dysgraphia but more research is needed on risk factors.

Differences: Dyslexia and Dysgraphia

The symptoms of dyslexia and dysgraphia can overlap, but there are some differences between the two conditions. Dyslexic individuals may have difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling, while dysgraphic individuals may have difficulty with writing, spelling, and organizing their thoughts. Dyslexia may also affect a person's ability to comprehend spoken language, while dysgraphia primarily affects their ability to produce written language.

Diagnosing dyslexia and dysgraphia can be challenging, as there is no single test or assessment that can definitively identify these disorders. A comprehensive evaluation typically includes assessments of reading, writing, and language skills, as well as an assessment of cognitive and academic abilities. The evaluation may also include a review of the person's developmental history, family history, and medical history.

Treatment for dyslexia and dysgraphia typically involves a combination of educational interventions and accommodations. For dyslexia, interventions may include phonics instruction, fluency training, and comprehension strategies. Accommodations may include extended time on tests, audiobooks, and assistive technology. For dysgraphia, interventions may include handwriting instruction, keyboarding instruction, and organizational strategies. Accommodations may include the use of a computer or assistive technology.

The following table highlights the major differences between Dyslexia and Dysgraphia: −

Characteristics	Dyslexia	Dysgraphia
Definition	Dyslexia is the condition in which individuals have difficulty with reading.	Dysgraphia is the condition in which individuals have difficulty with writing.
Language ability	The disorder dyslexia always involves a problem with language.	The disorder dysgraphia can involve a problem with language, but this is not always the case.
Fine motor skills	Problems with fine motor skills are not an issue with dyslexia.	Problems with fine motor skills can sometimes be a problem with dysgraphia.
Language centers of the brain	With dyslexia, there is evidence that the language centers of the brain malfunction.	With dysgraphia, there is no evidence that the language centers of the brain malfunction.
Occupational therapy	Occupational therapy is not useful in treating dyslexia.	Occupational therapy can sometimes be useful in treating dysgraphia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dyslexia and dysgraphia are two distinct learning disorders that affect a person's ability to read and write. Dyslexia is a reading disorder that affects a person's ability to decode and comprehend written language, while dysgraphia is a writing disorder that affects a person's ability to produce written language.

Although the two conditions may have some similarities, they have distinct symptoms, causes, and treatments. Early identification and intervention are critical for both disorders, as they can have a significant impact on a person's academic and social success.