Dysgraphia · High School

Dysgraphia in High School

In high school, essays, timed tests, and college preparation raise the stakes on written output. A student who has been working twice as hard to produce written work deserves to know why — and what accommodations they may qualify for.

Serving Long Island & Queens, NY

What to look for

What to look for in high school

  • Timed writing and in-class essays that don’t reflect the student’s real understanding
  • Spending far longer than classmates on written assignments for the same result
  • Ongoing difficulty with spelling and mechanics despite years of instruction
  • Notes too incomplete or illegible to study from later
  • Strong verbal reasoning paired with persistently weaker written expression
  • Anxiety or avoidance around any task that will be graded on writing

By high school, the question is rarely whether a student is trying — it’s why the effort isn’t showing up on the page.

Why this stage matters

Why this stage matters

High school workloads assume writing is efficient and automatic. When it isn't, a capable student can spend their evenings on assignments that take peers a fraction of the time, with grades that never quite match their ability. An evaluation provides both an explanation and the documentation often needed to request accommodations — extended time, keyboarding, or alternatives to handwritten work — including for college planning.



More than handwriting

What a dysgraphia evaluation looks at

The evaluation clarifies the profile behind the struggle and provides documentation to support school and testing accommodations.

Handwriting & letter formation Fine motor & graphomotor skills Spelling Written expression Language Working memory Attention Executive functioning Processing speed Visual-motor integration

Every evaluation is individualized based on your child’s history, concerns, and profile — never a one-size-fits-all package.

The process

How the evaluation works

1

Consultation

We discuss concerns, history, and the questions you want answered.

2

Records review

We review school reports, records, and previous testing.

3

Testing

Two to three in-person testing sessions, about two hours each.

4

Interpretation

Dr. Duhning integrates and synthesizes the data.

5

Report

We meet virtually to review the findings, recommendations, and written report.

6

Roadmap

You leave knowing what your child needs and what to do next.

High School · Dysgraphia

Is writing holding back a capable student?

An evaluation provides clarity and the documentation needed for accommodations.

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