Dysgraphia Assessment

in Calgary for children, teens & adults

When writing is a struggle, there's usually a reason

Messy handwriting that never seems to improve. Sentences that take forever to get on paper. A child who clearly knows the answer but can't seem to write it down. If this sounds familiar, dysgraphia may be behind it - and a formal assessment can tell you for certain.

What is dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects a person's ability to produce written language. It's not about intelligence or effort - children and adults with dysgraphia are often highly capable learners whose written output simply doesn't reflect what they know.

The difficulty usually involves one or more of three things: the physical act of writing (fine motor control, pencil grip, letter formation), the spelling and language processing involved in turning thoughts into words, or the working memory demands of coordinating all of these things at once while also thinking about what to say.

Dysgraphia is frequently missed or misunderstood. Children are often told to "try harder" or "slow down, “advice that doesn't help because the problem isn't effort or speed. It's neurological. A formal assessment identifies exactly where the difficulty lies, which makes targeted support possible for the first time.

Dysgraphia frequently co-occurs with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. If your child has already been assessed for one of these and writing remains a challenge, a dysgraphia assessment can provide the missing piece of the picture.

Signs you or your child may have dysgraphia:

Handwriting Issues:

Someone with dysgraphia may have printing that is difficult to read with inconsistent letter sizes and shapes. They may have uneven spacing between letters and words. They may also have a difficult time writing on the line.

Emotional Signs:

Someone with dysgraphia might be reluctant to complete writing tasks. They may become anxious and frustrated when they have to write.

Fine Motor Difficulties:

Someone with dysgraphia may have an awkward or painful pencil grip, they might take longer to complete writing tasks, and they may struggle to correctly form letters.

Academic Performance:

Someone with dysgraphia may have messy and disorganized note taking, struggle with note-taking, and perform better when completing oral assignments compared to writing ones.

Written Expression Challenges:

Someone with dysgraphia may have difficulty translating their thoughts into written words, they may have difficulty writing complete and properly structured sentences, and they may leave out words or parts of a word when writing.

Other Signs:

Other signs that someone may have dysgraphia can include frequent erasing, slow and effortful writing, and difficulty copying words and sentences from the board.

What does a dysgraphia assessment involve?

A dysgraphia assessment at Bluebird Psychology is a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment that examines cognitive abilities, academic achievement, fine motor skills, phonological processing, and written language. Here's what to expect:

1) Free 15-minute phone consultation (optional)

You can speak with us about what you're observing - at home, at school, or at work. We confirm whether a dysgraphia assessment is the right fit and answer your questions.

2) Intake meeting

Before testing begins, we review the relevant history, such as academic records, previous assessments, medical history, and your specific concerns. This can be done in person or virtually.

3) Two testing sessions

Your child (or you) attends two in-office testing sessions. We assess cognitive abilities, written expression, fine motor skills, spelling, and phonological processing using gold-standard tools. Sessions are structured to be manageable and low-pressure.

4) Written report

We produce a comprehensive written report outlining findings, diagnosis (if applicable), and specific recommendations for support, including school accommodations, intervention strategies, and assistive technology suggestions.

5) Feedback meeting

We walk you through the results in plain language, answer your questions, and make sure you leave with a clear understanding of next steps. You don't have to interpret the report on your own.

The fee for a psychoeducational assessment is $3,000. A split-payment option is available. Many extended health plans cover psychoeducational assessments under "registered psychologist services" - we provide receipts for reimbursement.

What happens after a dysgraphia diagnosis?

A diagnosis is the beginning, not the end. Once we understand exactly what type of dysgraphia is present and what's driving it, targeted support becomes possible for the first time. Interventions and accommodations may include:

Occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills and pencil grip - particularly helpful for motor dysgraphia.

Assistive technology such as speech-to-text software, word prediction tools, or typing instruction - allowing the child or adult to bypass the physical demands of handwriting and focus on the content of their writing.

Classroom and workplace accommodations including extended time for written tasks, permission to type rather than handwrite, reduced copying requirements, and access to notes - all of which can be supported by the written report we provide.

Targeted writing instruction using structured, explicit approaches to spelling, sentence construction, and written expression - building the underlying skills rather than just managing around them.

Frequently Asked Questions

We assess children, teens, and adults for dysgraphia. For younger children, we typically recommend waiting until age 7–8, when enough writing instruction has occurred to distinguish a learning disability from typical developmental variation. Adults who were never assessed as children are absolutely welcome - dysgraphia doesn't disappear, and a formal diagnosis can open access to workplace accommodations.
Most children go through a phase of untidy handwriting that improves with practice and instruction. Dysgraphia is different - it persists despite adequate instruction, affects multiple aspects of writing (not just neatness), and typically involves a significant gap between a child's verbal ability and what they can produce in writing. If writing difficulties have persisted for years and conventional approaches haven't helped, a formal assessment is warranted.
No, you can contact Bluebird Psychology directly without a referral. We'll discuss your concerns during the free 15-minute consultation and determine whether an assessment is the right next step.
Yes. Our written reports are accepted by Calgary Board of Education schools, the Calgary Catholic School District, and other schools across Alberta. The report outlines specific, evidence-based recommendations that schools can use to put accommodations in place, such as extended time, typed responses, and reduced copying tasks. We can also provide guidance on how to use the report to advocate for your child.
Many extended health plans cover psychoeducational assessments under "registered psychologist" services. We recommend checking your plan directly. We provide detailed receipts for reimbursement after assessment. Sliding scale fees are also available for families who need financial flexibility, contact us to discuss.
Yes, our comprehensive psychoeducational assessment covers all of these areas in a single process. If you have concerns about more than writing, we can assess cognitive ability, reading, written language, and attention together, providing a complete picture in one report.

Have questions?

We’re here to help!

email us at office@bluebirdpsychology.ca
call us at (587) 288-6884

or schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our psychologists here.