The answer. Yes and No. AKA, it depends!
When it comes to learning differences such as dysgraphia, finding the right accommodations is key to ensuring individuals can succeed in their education and beyond. Dysgraphia, a specific learning disability that affects a person's ability to write, is often accompanied by challenges in manual writing. In such cases, accommodations become essential to support the individual's learning process... to show what they know!
Defining Accommodations
Accommodations refer to adjustments made in the learning environment in order to provide an individual with equitable access to learning materials and assessments. These changes do not alter the fundamental curriculum or expectations but instead serve to level the playing field for students with learning differences.
Accommodations are (SHOULD BE) very individualized. They should be dependent on a child's strengths, learning profile, and needs to allow that student access to their learning.
Why Keyboarding Can Be a Good Accommodation
For individuals with dysgraphia, keyboarding can be a game-changer. Here's why:
Reduced Physical Demands : Keyboarding can at times eliminate the physical effort required for writing letters by hand, allowing individuals with dysgraphia to focus more on the content of their writing. However, keyboarding instruction and automaticity has to be developed to get to this level.
Improved Grades : Typing can often result in more legible text compared to handwritten work, which is especially beneficial for those with dysgraphia who struggle with penmanship. If a student is more efficient and effective with keyboarding, it can be a great tool to show what they know... and research indicates that teachers a slightly biased with grading papers that they are legible vs those that are illegible or "messy."
Speed and Efficiency : Typing can at times significantly increase the speed at which individuals can produce written work, helping them keep pace with their peers in academic settings. Again, this is dependent on if the student has received adequate keyboarding instruction and developed fluency for it.
Autocorrect and Editing Tools : Many word processors offer features like autocorrect and spell check, assisting individuals in producing accurate written work. This is a double-edge sword. While at times this is an INCREDIBLE tool to have, we have to be mindful that we are still explicitly teaching these skills at the same time.
Why Keyboarding Isn't Always the Perfect Solution
While keyboarding can offer significant benefits as an accommodation for dysgraphia, there are instances where it may not be the ideal choice:
Dependency Concerns : Overreliance on typing may hinder the development of handwriting skills, which are essential in certain situations where technology may not be available. We cannot "throw the baby out with the bath water" so to speak. I hear often that at X age we need to give up on writing by hand and move to keyboarding, but in reality we need to do BOTH!!
Motor Skills Development : Handwriting plays a role in developing fine motor skills, which typing may not fully address, leading to potential skill gaps. Again, if we move to technology and leave handwriting behind we are missing critical developmental milestones with not only motor but also cognitive skills.
Is Keyboarding Actually "Easier" : The underlying challenges that contribute to dysgraphia such as weak orthographic skills and delayed sequential finger movements also affect keyboarding just like they affect writing by hand. So expecting keyboarding to be a "magic" solution for all students with dysgraphia is flawed.
Finding the Right Balance
When considering accommodations for dysgraphia, it's important to strike a balance between utilizing beneficial tools like keyboarding and ensuring that individuals continue to develop essential skills.
Remediation strategies aimed at improving handwriting alongside the use of keyboarding for practical applications can offer a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of individuals with dysgraphia.
As Dr Berninger says: "Accommodations such as keyboarding do not diminish the need or importance of explicit instruction in handwriting and spelling for students with dysgraphia."
In conclusion, while keyboarding can be a valuable accommodation for dysgraphia, it's crucial to evaluate individual needs and consider both the benefits and limitations of this approach. By understanding the nuances of accommodations and striving for a balanced approach, we can better support individuals with dysgraphia on their educational journey.
Want to speak to an expert in dysgraphia? Email kelli@handwritingsolutions.org for a free consultation or click here!
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