Dysgraphia Hacks for Parents

Maintain a structured routine to ensure your child’s mind-body balance
Keep kiddos hydrated and engage them in regular physical activity
Maintain handwriting practice – have your child write an invisible C from the top corner the bottom before actually writing letters.
Begin teaching your child keyboarding as early as possible
Whenever possible use lined paper for writing
Whenever possible use graph paper for Math
As early as possible get in the habit of using speech to text software
Make sure your child has a comfortable pencil
Regularly model appropriate pencil grip and paper position with your child
Teach your child to give themselves and others GRACE – Give: Respect, Admiration, Courtesy, and Empathy

Play to your child’s strengths – let others know where they shine
Plan to meet with your child’s teacher and the school’s Occupational Therapist prior to enrollment to open the door to collaboration
Ask about teaching your child cursive sooner than later
Have your child play with dysgraphia-friendly apps at home and observe them. This will help you know where they are struggling
Keep a poster of the alphabet in their room and review letters and sounds daily
Inquire with the school about available Assistive Technology
Provide your child access to speech to text software for writing-intensive assignment
Make sure your child is not graded for handwriting
Ask teachers to allow for extra time or dictation on timed writing assignments
Do not bombard them with to do’s right after school – allow them recovery time