Dysgraphia Health Dictionary

Dysphasia is the term used to describe the dif?culties in understanding language and in self-expression, most frequently after STROKE or other brain damage. When there is a total loss in the ability to communicate through speech or writing, it is known as global aphasia. Many more individuals have a partial understanding of what is said to them; they are also able to put their own thoughts into words to some extent. The general term for this less severe condition is dysphasia. Individuals vary widely, but in general there are two main types of dysphasia. Some people may have a good understanding of spoken language but have di?culty in self-expression; this is called expressive or motor dysphasia. Others may have a very poor ability to understand speech, but will have a considerable spoken output consisting of jargon words; this is known as receptive or sensory dysphasia. Similar diffculties may occur with reading, and this is called DYSLEXIA (a term more commonly encountered in the di?erent context of children’s reading disability). Adults who have suffered a stroke or another form of brain damage may also have di?culty in writing, or dysgraphia. The speech therapist can assess the ?ner diagnostic pointsand help them adjust to the effects of the stroke on communication. (See SPEECH THERAPY.)

Dysphasia may come on suddenly and last only for a few hours or days, being due to a temporary block in the circulation of blood to the brain. The effects may be permanent, but although the individual may have di?culty in understanding language and expressing themselves, they will be quite aware of their surroundings and may be very frustrated by their inability to communicate with others.

Further information may be obtained from Speakability.... dysphasia

Professionally trained speech therapists assist, diagnose and treat the whole spectrum of acquired or developmental communication disorders. They work in medical and education establishments, often in an advisory or consultative capacity. The medical conditions in which speech therapy is employed include: dysgraphia, DYSLEXIA, DYSARTHRIA, DYSPHASIA, DYSPHONIA, DYSPRAXIA, AUTISM, BELL’S PALSY, CEREBRAL PALSY, DEAFNESS, disordered language, delayed speech, disordered speech, DOWN’S (DOWN) SYNDROME, LARYNGECTOMY, LEARNING DISABILITY, MACROGLOSSIA, MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE (MND), malformations of the PALATE, PARKINSONISM, STAMMERING, STROKE and disorders of voice production.

Speech therapists form a small independent profession, most of whom work for the National Health Service in community clinics, general practices and hospitals. They may also work in schools or in units for the handicapped, paediatric assessment centres, language units attached to primary schools, adult training centres and day centres for the elderly.

A speech therapist undergoes a four-year degree course which covers the study of disorders of communication in children and adults, phonetics and linguistics, anatomy and physiology, psychology and many other related subjects. Further information on training can be obtained from the College of Speech Therapists.

If the parents of a child are concerned about their child’s speech, they may approach a speech therapist for assessment and guidance. Their general practitioner will be able to give them local addresses or they should contact the district speech therapist. Adults are usually referred by hospital consultants.

The College of Speech Therapists keeps a register of all those who have passed a recognised degree or equivalent quali?cation in speech therapy. It will be able to direct you to your nearest NHS or private speech therapist.... speech therapy

Problems with learning, which result from a range of mental and physical problems.

Learning difficulties may be either general or specific.

In general learning difficulties, all aspects of mental and physical functioning may be affected.

Depending on the severity of the problem, a child with general learning difficulties may need to be educated in a special school.

Specific learning difficulties include dyslexia, dyscalculia (the inability to solve mathematical problems), and dysgraphia (writing disorders).

Causes of learning difficulties include deafness, speech disorders, and disorders of vision, as well as genetic and chromosomal problems.... learning difficulties

(dysgraphia) n. an acquired inability to write, although the strength and coordination of the hand remain normal. It is related to the disorders of language and it is caused by disease in the dominant *parietal lobe of the brain. See Gerstmann’s syndrome.... agraphia