A study and review of developmental dysgraphia in relation to acquired dysgraphia.

A survey of developmental dysgraphia in a population of 259 normal 13- and 14-year-old schoolchildren has been carried out. The neurological characteristics of handwriting impairments in the 25 children with the poorest handwriting skills are described. These data form the basis of a clinical classification of developmental dysgraphia. A group of simple clinical tests of handwriting and associated functions are offered for routine use. Because they are based on neurological principles relating to acquired dysgraphia, the classification and testing format may be used for correlation with neuro-imaging in research studies. More importantly, they may also facilitate both counselling and remediation for a particular child. The test battery could be modified for use in epidemiological surveys of neurodevelopmental disorders.