Is Dysgraphia Common in Gifted Boys?

A parent told me her son’s teacher suggested she look into dysgraphia because his handwriting and writing avoidance were so poor.

Additionally, she wrote this:

My son’s teacher has raised challenges with poor handwriting and creative writing (ideas development and planning) so we are thinking of ways to provide positive support especially in light of him being younger [than current classmates due to a grade skip]. Possibly exploring dysgraphia.

It’s true there are ways to support children who struggle with writing. But let me say a little something about the idea of “dysgraphia.” It’s not that I don’t think it sometimes exists, but in my view, it is not a “2e issue” (twice exceptional with being gifted and having a disability). In fact, it’s quite common for almost any gifted boy. More boys than girls do not enjoy writing, especially when they are young. First, they do not, as a group, have the same early dexterity as girls have for but that difference usually dissipates with physical maturing.

After all, some boys do have enough dexterity and they prove it with their Legos, right? As to actually writing, they eventually learn the power of the pen for persuasion and the necessity of “showing their work” as they grow older and in more advanced instructional environments.