Dysgraphia vs Dyslexia: What's the Difference

Learning disabilities can create significant challenges in both academic and everyday life for the individuals who experience them, but they don’t have to be lifelong obstacles.

Dysgraphia and Dyslexia are two common learning disabilities that can affect how individuals process written language, yet they manifest in different ways. Understanding these distinctions is key for parents and professionals alike who are looking to support individuals with, and help them overcome, these difficulties. 

Like all learning disabilities, both Dysgraphia and Dyslexia are rooted in the cognitive functions that shape how our brains work and that influence learning and performance. Traditionally, these learning disabilities are seen as lifelong hurdles that must be managed rather than overcome.

However, research on neuroplasticity has found that the brain's capacity for change can be harnessed to improve our cognitive functions, helping individuals to strengthen their learning abilities and achieve their full potential in an academic, professional and social environment.

In this blog, we'll explore the key differences between Dysgraphia and Dyslexia and discuss how understanding the brain's role in learning can help overcome these challenges.

What is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is a learning disability that primarily affects writing skills. Individuals with Dysgraphia often struggle with fine motor skills, making it difficult to form letters and words on paper. Their writing may be illegible or inconsistent, and the physical act of writing can feel exhausting. This disability can also affect spelling, organizing thoughts on paper, and the ability to write fluently.

Children and adults with Dysgraphia may know what they want to say, but translating those thoughts into written language is a challenge. It’s important to note that Dysgraphia doesn’t affect intelligence or verbal communication. Rather, it impacts the mechanical aspects of writing and how the brain coordinates fine motor skills.

You can learn more about Dysgraphia on our Dysgraphia and Writing Difficulties Page, or see first-hand how The Arrowsmith Program helps individuals with Dysgraphia in our Case Study of Millie.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia, on the other hand, is a learning disability that affects reading and language processing. Individuals with Dyslexia may struggle to decode words, recognize written words quickly, or comprehend what they are reading. Dyslexia can also affect spelling and writing, but its primary impact is on reading skills.

Just like Dysgraphia, Dyslexia is not related to intelligence; rather, it’s a difference in how the brain processes written language. Many individuals with Dyslexia will have strengths and talents outside of traditional reading and writing tasks. However, the challenges of Dyslexia persistently affect academic learning and performance, and in many cases, tend to impact one’s self concept and esteem.

You can learn more about Dyslexia in our blog, Is Dyslexia a Learning Disability? Demystifying the Diagnosis, or see first-hand how The Arrowsmith Program helps individuals with Dyslexia in our Case Study of Emma.

The Key Differences Between Dysgraphia and Dyslexia

While both Dysgraphia and Dyslexia affect written communication, they do so in different ways:

• Focus of Impact: Dysgraphia primarily affects writing and fine motor skills, while Dyslexia affects reading and language processing.
  
  
• Symptoms: Individuals with Dysgraphia struggle with handwriting, spelling, and organizing written content, while those with Dyslexia have difficulty decoding words, reading fluently, and comprehending text.
  
  
• Cognitive Functions: Dysgraphia is often linked to difficulties in motor coordination and visual-spatial processing, whereas Dyslexia is related to challenges in phonological processing, word recognition and comprehension. 

Dysgraphia and Dyslexia Both Look Different for Every Individual, Due to Our Unique Cognitive Profiles

One of the most important facts to recognize is that Dysgraphia and Dyslexia do not present the same way in every individual. Each person’s cognitive profile is unique, meaning the challenges they face will differ depending on their unique makeup of cognitive function strengths and weaknesses.

At the core of learning disabilities is the individual’s network of cognitive functions, which can vary significantly from person to person. For example, one child with Dyslexia may struggle with decoding words, while another may find comprehension challenging. Similarly, a person with Dysgraphia may have difficulty forming letters, while another might struggle more with organizing thoughts on paper.

This unique cognitive profile is why a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing Dysgraphia and Dyslexia often falls short. In fact, the typical interventions offered are only workarounds that have no impact in actually strengthening an individual’s brain and helping them overcome their learning difficulty. Or an approach that may help one individual with Dyslexia will have limited benefit to another person with the same diagnosis. A different cognitive profile - requires a different cognitive solution.

Instead, it’s critical to gain an understanding of each individual’s unique cognitive makeup. With this information, targeted cognitive programs can be designed to address the specific areas of weakness of the individual - as a result, strengthening the brain and enhancing learning and performance.

To find out yours, or your child’s, unique cognitive profile of strengths and weaknesses, you can take the Arrowsmith Cognitive Questionnaire for free.

Can Dysgraphia, Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities be Overcome?

For many years, learning disabilities like Dysgraphia and Dyslexia were considered lifelong conditions. However, scientific advances have revealed this does not need to be the case.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and reorganize itself by forming new neural connections (which you can read more about in our Ultimate Guide to Neuroplasticity). This means that cognitive functions can be strengthened through targeted cognitive exercises, allowing individuals to strengthen their brain and overcome their learning disabilities.

Arrowsmith leverages the principles of neuroplasticity to provide targeted cognitive programs that strengthen the specific cognitive functions underlying learning disabilities. By first assessing an individual’s unique cognitive profile, tailored programs can address the root causes of an individual’s Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, and other learning disabilities.

The result? Children and adults alike experience improved writing, reading, and learning abilities, which leads to greater confidence and academic/professional success. By targeting the cognitive functions that are underperforming, individuals don’t merely cope with their learning disabilities - they overcome them.

Want to find out your - or your child’s - unique cognitive profile? The Arrowsmith Cognitive Assessment is a good place to start. Starting with an in-depth insight into one’s cognitive profile, the Arrowsmith team can provide recommendations that offer a comprehensive solution to learning difficulties.