Dyslexia is a pretty well-known learning disability that affects a person’s ability to process text –making reading and spelling extraordinarily difficult. But did you know that there are 4 different learning disabilities in the dys’s category? Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.

Let’s take a brief look at these conditions as well as some of their symptoms.

Dyslexia ­– a learning difficulty related to reading

Traits and symptoms show up as difficulties with:

• Pronouncing words from text

• Finding words in text

• Writing and spelling 

• Overall slow and labour-intensive reading. 

Dysgraphia – a learning difficulty related to writing

Traits and symptoms show up as difficulties in:

• Hand grip including cramped grip and sore hands

• Poor spatial planning and inconsistent spacing of letters and words

• Poor spelling including missing words or letters

There are some differences between mechanical and neuropsychological dysgraphia. Some children with mechanical dysgraphia, which is related to the way their hands and bodies function, may find that typing is a good option.

Dyscalculia – a learning difficulty related to mathematics

Traits and symptoms show up as difficulties in:

• Following steps in mathematical operations

• Sequencing information or events

• Identifying number patterns

• Understanding and solving word problems

Dyspraxia – a learning difficulty related to fine and gross motor skills

Dyspraxia is known as Developmental Coordination Disorder or DCD in Australia.

Traits and symptoms show up as difficulties in:

• Fatigue

• Differences in speech (tone, speed, volume)

• Perception problems (poor body spatial awareness and motor planning)

• Poor balance and posture           

This information comes from the CAMHS Professionals Facebook page – they had a lovely post quickly outlining these conditions.

I also found some other amazing graphics that provide a bit more information on each condition at Remedial Teaching Support. 

What I found really interesting is that if you look over the symptoms of each learning disability there is loads of overlap! For example, individuals diagnosed with dyscalculia struggle with word problems, just as dyslexics struggle with words in general. Children with DCD struggle with motor planning and individuals with dysgraphia struggle with hand grip. I’ve sometimes wondered if they really are all different conditions or are maybe part of a bigger condition we don’t have a name for yet! However, for now, we do have these listed as separate conditions, and given their overlapping symptoms and traits it can be very tricky to make a diagnosis, especially if you’re seeing multiple symptoms or traits that relate to a few of these learning disorders. 

If you do decide to seek a diagnosis for your child, an educational and paediatric psychologist can usually diagnose dysgraphia, dyscalculia and dyslexia, however, a paediatrician is best for diagnosing Developmental Coordination Disorder. An occupational therapist can be a helpful resource for mechanical dysgraphia and/or DCD.

With best wishes,

Sabrina, author of the 2E Corner