What instructional approach is most effective for a student identified with dysgraphia?

The most effective instructional approach for a student identified with dysgraphia is explicit instruction in letter formation and guided practice. This method targets the specific challenges that students with dysgraphia face, primarily difficulties with handwriting and written expression. By providing explicit instruction, educators can break down the handwriting process into manageable components, ensuring that students understand how to form letters properly. Guided practice allows for immediate feedback and support, helping students build their fine motor skills and improve their writing fluency over time.

This approach contrasts with simply providing extensive worksheets or focusing exclusively on reading comprehension, which do not directly address the specific motor planning and coordination issues associated with dysgraphia. Allowing unlimited time for written assignments may offer some relief for students under pressure but does not provide the targeted instruction needed for skill development. Therefore, explicit instruction combined with guided practice effectively meets the needs of students with dysgraphia by focusing on their unique difficulties with letter formation and writing.