What is the difference between dyslexia and dysgraphia?

Dyslexia and dysgraphia are two separate learning challenges, but they can sometimes occur together.

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Dyslexia is a learning challenge that affects reading. Children with dyslexia may struggle with decoding words, recognizing sight words, and phonemic awareness. Dyslexia is often associated with difficulties in phonological processing, which refers to the ability to process the sounds of language.

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Dysgraphia is a learning challenge that affects writing. Children with dysgraphia may struggle with handwriting, spelling, and organizing their thoughts on paper. Dysgraphia can be caused by difficulties with fine motor skills, visual-spatial processing, or working memory.

While dyslexia and dysgraphia are different challenges, they can sometimes co-occur. For example, a child with dyslexia may also have difficulty with spelling, which can be a symptom of, or exacerbated by dysgraphia