Dyslexia VS Dysgraphia: Understanding the Similarities and Differences

If your child struggles with reading, writing, or spelling, you’ve probably heard the terms dyslexia vs dysgraphia. While these two learning differences are often mentioned together (and sometimes even confused with one another) they each affect different aspects of learning. Understanding how they overlap and how they differ can help you better support your child both at home and in school.

💡 What Is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that primarily affects a child’s ability to read and spell, though it can impact writing as well. It is NOT related to intelligence or motivation. Children with dyslexia often have difficulty recognizing and decoding words, matching letters to sounds, and reading fluently.

Common signs of dyslexia include:

* Difficulty sounding out words or matching sounds to letters

* Slow, effortful reading

* Poor spelling

* Trouble remembering sight words

* Avoidance of reading tasks

At its core, dyslexia affects how the brain processes written language.

✍️ What Is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia, on the other hand, is a writing-based learning difference*that impacts handwriting, spelling, and written expression. Like dyslexia, it’s NOT about intelligence or effort. It’s about how the brain processes and produces written language.

Common signs of dysgraphia include:

* Messy writing such as poor letter formation or spacing

* Difficulty writing on the lines

* Organizing thoughts on paper

* Spelling, punctuation, and grammar

* Slow, labored handwriting that’s difficult to read

Dysgraphia can appear in students with or without dyslexia, though the two often coexist.

🔍 How Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Are Similar

While dyslexia vs dysgraphia affect different skills, they share some important similarities:

* Both are neurobiological learning differences. These are brain-based challenges, not a reflection of effort, intelligence, or motivation.

* Both impact written language. Dyslexia affects reading and spelling, while dysgraphia affects handwriting and composition and, at times, spelling - but both interfere with how a child processes written words.

* Both can affect self-esteem. Children who struggle with literacy may feel frustrated, embarrassed, or “less capable” than peers. Early recognition and support are essential.

* Both benefit from structured, multisensory intervention. Engaging multiple senses (seeing, hearing, touching, and movement) helps strengthen the brain pathways involved in reading and writing.

⚖️ The Differences Between Dyslexia VS Dysgraphia

	Dyslexia	Dysgraphia
Primary Challenges	Reading and Spelling	Handwriting and Written Expression
Affected Skills	Decoding, Phonological Awareness,Reading Fluency, Comprehension	Handwriting Legibility, Spelling, Written Expression
Core Cause	Difficulty processing sounds in language	Difficulty translating thoughts into written output
Typical Specialist	Educational specialist or dyslexia interventionist, occupational therapist/speech language therapist	Handwriting specialist, occupational therapist, educational specialist
Key Supports	Structured Literacy, Systematic and Explicit instruction, Accommodations	Explicit handwriting and written expression instruction, Fine motor support, Accommodations

❤️ Supporting Students with Dyslexia VS Dysgraphia

While dyslexia and dysgraphia can exist on their own, some children have both - which means they need support in reading AND writing as well as a deeper exploration of their holistic learning profile. A collaborative approach between educators, reading specialists, handwriting experts, parents, the student, and therapists is the most effective way to help these students thrive.

At Handwriting Solutions, we see every day how powerful the right support can be. When students receive targeted instruction that meets their unique needs, their confidence (and their skills) can soar.

✨ Next Steps for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Support

Dyslexia and dysgraphia often overlap, but they’re not the same. Dyslexia affects reading and spelling. Dysgraphia affects handwriting and written expression. Both can impact a child’s ability to communicate effectively and both can be supported with understanding, patience, and evidence-based instruction.

With the right instruction (especially multisensory, structured literacy approaches) students with dyslexia can become confident, capable readers.

These supports can make a big difference in helping these children succeed.

If you suspect your child may be struggling with either, early intervention is key. With the right help, they can become not only more skilled but also more confident learners.

Set up a free consultation with our founder Kelli Fetter to discover what the best fit for your child would be.