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I will read all day…BUT DON’T ASK ME TO WRITE ANYTHING!. Beth Bianchi Assistant Principal Old Donation Center Virginia Beach City Public Schools August 21, 2010. Who are we?. Introductions Think, Pair, Share Gender Tally Sticky Notes Discussion.
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I will read all day…BUT DON’T ASK ME TO WRITE ANYTHING! Beth Bianchi Assistant Principal Old Donation Center Virginia Beach City Public Schools August 21, 2010
Who are we? • Introductions • Think, Pair, Share • Gender Tally • Sticky Notes • Discussion
Typical Writing Challenges of Gifted Students • Disorganization • Labored handwriting • Slow to start • Easily Frustrated • Others?
So…What have you done? • Yell and scream at homework time? • Bribery? • Purchase every writing utensil possible? • Threaten a consequence? • Say forget it…go back to that book???
Definition • What is dysgraphia? • “Writing skills that are significantly below what is normal considering the person’s age intelligence and education.” The writing difficulties must interfere with a person’s daily living and academic achievement. National Center of Learning Disabilities-DSM IV 315.2
Types of Dysgraphia • Dyslexic Dysgraphia • Motor Dysgraphia • Spatial Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia: More Than Bad Handwriting • Tight, awkward pencil grip • Inconsistent spacing between letters/words • Posture problems • Disorganized thoughts • Avoidance of writing or motor tasks
Common Symptoms of Dysgraphia • Inconsistencies in size, spacing, and formation • Verbalizing while writing • Illegible • Processing Difficulties • Word omissions and unfinished sentences • Syntax and grammar problems
Sample of DysgraphicWriting • Excerpt taken from the article: A Look at Dysgraphia: What Dysgraphia Looks Like on the Outside • http://www.peas-ink.com/ann/folio/hgse/t560/dysgrpahia/outside.htm
How do we know? To be identified with dysgraphia, a comprehensive psychological assessment needs to be completed.
HELP!!!! To qualify for services, a diagnosis of a disability needs to be determined under the standards set by the IDEA with a qualifying label such as LD for Learning Disabilities.
It takes a VILLAGE • Parents • Teachers • Psychologists • Social Workers • Administrators
Special Education Info • Virginia Dept. of Education-Division of Special Education and Student Services • http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/SPED/proc_safe.pdf
SO… No Dysgraphia-NOW WHAT?
Elementary Students • Fine motor exercises • Writing tools that promote feedback • Specialty papers with raised lines • Dictation to a scribe • Encouragement and PRAISE • Practice PracticePractice!
Tweens, Teens, Technology • Keyboarding programs • Computers • Laptops • Alpha Smarts (NEO) • Franklin Spellers
Ready Writers • Direct Instruction • Specific Strategies • Occupational Therapists • Assistive Technology Rep
Brain Gym • Brain Gym exercises were used to warm up prior to writing.
Resources • Onion Mountain Technology, Inc • www.onionmountaintech.com • Therapro-handwriting programs • http://www.therapro.com/Handwriting-Programs-C19161.aspx • www.ldonline.org • Council for Exceptional Children-Twice Exceptional or 2E