Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a longitudinal case study of handwriting characteristics.

This longitudinal case study focuses on handwriting samples of a female diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder from 12 years of age to 21 years of age. Diaries and journals produced for class assignments and later for this research yielded 293 handwriting samples. 15 characteristics of handwriting were measured and statistically analyzed to follow changes in handwriting across time. At seven years of age while in elementary school the subject was diagnosed with ADHD and placed on Ritalin (methylphenidate). At puberty the drug was discontinued. During two summers she visited grandparents, once alone and once with two sisters with whom she was in conflict. Her handwriting deviated from its pattern of general decrease in size and increase in uniformity during these visits. The changes over time of three handwriting characteristics (slant of "l," heights and areas of the lower loop of the "g," and area of the left loop of the "I") also deviated from the general pattern of her handwriting change.

Cervical spine surgery and handwriting: a case report.

The 53-year-old right-handed woman underwent decompressive laminectomies and foraminotomies at the C3-C7 levels. The course of illness and postoperative recovery were documented by handwriting and MRI views, but not statistical analysis.

Characteristics of handwriting of subjects with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a widespread neurological disorder with a variety of symptoms, some of which are noticeable in handwriting. The handwritings of two groups of 23 subjects each (people with multiple sclerosis and a comparison group), matched for age and gender, were compared, using the Roman-Staempfli Psychogram, a graphological charting system with seven additional categories. Of 50 indicators examined, statistical analysis showed means of 37 to be significantly different. The one-way analyses of variance showed that 26 of the 32 indicators originally expected to be significantly different between the groups were. 14 of the 17 predictions of higher MS scores were significantly confirmed as were 11 of the 15 predictions of lower MS scores. These results suggest that neurological damage is reflected in handwriting and can be measured graphologically for physical or psychological characteristics. Possible reasons for variance from the hypotheses were discussed.

Mouth-writing by a quadriplegic.

Although the phrase, "handwriting is brainwriting," is commonly heard, there is little in the literature to support the statement. This case study of a 28-year-old quadriplegic woman briefly describes the disorder, its treatment, and her reaction to sudden disability. Writing pre- and postparalysis illustrates the similarities in slant, spacing, size, and idiosyncracies found when written by hand or by holding the pen in the mouth.

Evaluation of adolescents' self-esteem through the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory and graphometric analysis of students' handwriting.

Self-esteem has long been considered an essential component of good mental health. Coopersmith's Self-esteem Inventory and Wellingham-Jones Self-esteem Values List applied to handwritings were given to 15- to 19-yr.-old students to explore the former's usefulness in designing programs to enhance self-esteem. Students were from 4 high schools representing the socioeconomic range of a small rural California city. Handwritings of the 25 students scoring highest and the 25 scoring lowest on self-esteem were graphometrically evaluated. Chi squared showed total agreement between the two tests in 62% of the cases, partial agreement in 30%, complete disagreement in 8%. This suggests Coopersmith's inventory may be a useful tool for school administrators, provided its limitations are understood. Similarities and differences between and within the high and low self-esteem groups were discussed.