Digital Media Kit
Interested in interviewing Cheri?
Cheri is open to guest podcasting, corporate and educational institutions, and media entities.
1. What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a disability in written expression. It is estimated that 33% of the population have some level of dysgraphia.
2. How did you get interested in dysgraphia?
I had a parent ask me, “How can my child read and not be able to write?” I couldn’t answer. In my search to find the answer, I discovered that there are many misconceptions about dysgraphia and not much published for educators, therapists, and parents.
3. I've heard of dyslexia. Are dyslexia and dysgraphia the same thing?
Dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia are Specific Learning Disabilities.
Dys=disability
ia=a condition
Each one of the roots delineates the three from the other.
lexi=reading
graph=writing
calc=math
They are in the same category in the DSM-5 but are not the same.
**DSM-5 = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, fifth edition – The Bible of mental health conditions.
4. Are there any other disabilities that are similar to dysgraphia?
Many individuals who have dysgraphia also have comorbid conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). They are not the same diagnosis though.
5. Are there types of dysgraphia?
My definition of the types of dysgraphia is slightly different from other organizations because my delineation is a sensory-motor approach to interventions. I have separated them further.
Visual-Spatial Dysgraphia
Motor Dysgraphia
Memory Dysgraphia
Word Formation (Spelling) Dysgraphia
Sentence Formation Dysgraphiaia
Paragraph Formation Dysgraphia
6. Can you evaluate my child/student who may have dysgraphia?
My primary role is as a professional development provider for educators and therapists, which fills my days at this point. I am no longer providing direct treatment.
However, do continue to advocate and support parents by reviewing IEP documents and coaching them to prepare for team meetings.
I also support homeschool families through educational programs and coaching.
I am an ACT48 Approved Provider in the Commonwealth of PA. This approval allows me to use NBCOT line 11 to provide professional development to occupational therapists in any other state.
7. What are the symptoms of dysgraphia?
| Avoiding handwriting | Hand cramps/pain | Unorganized paragraphs |
| Awkward pencil grasp | Intensively watching one’s hands | Unusual pencil position |
| Awkward letter appearance | Pencil pressure is too dark/light | Written Expression does not meet expectations |
| Difficulty managing margins | Poor fine motor skills |
8. How do I find you on social media?
Look for my name on
Clubhouse @dysgraphiacoach
OWWLL use code CO707647 to sign up
9. Do you have any free resources?
10. Where have you been featured in the past?
2022 Mental Health Awards – Dysgraphia Expert of the Year – Global Health and Pharma Magazine
2022 Social Care Award – Best Handwriting Support Program in PA – Global Health and Pharma Magazine
Building Readers for Life Conference
US News and World Report – How kids can get dysgraphia help in school?
US News and World Report – What is dysgraphia?
Parenting Special Needs Magazine
Virtual Education Summit
11. Promo video 2.5 minutes
Headshot
Bio – Long version and 50-word count
Long version: 277 words/1477 characters
Cheri is an international speaker, author, and consultant who helps teachers, therapists, and parents build clarity, community, and competency around the barriers to writing success. One-third (33%) of the population has difficulty writing. Many can read yet have difficulty writing. Dysgraphia, a disability in written expression, encompasses all forms of writing, from those who are learning to adults having trouble at work for ineffective communication skills. Her book, Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect, has remained in the Top 100 on Amazon since publication in Handwriting Reference and Learning Disabilities. It was also a Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards in 2019. In addition, she was nominated the USA 2022 Dysgraphia Expert of the Year by Global Health and Pharma Magazine. She has worked in many concentration areas as an occupational therapist for 25 years. However, it wasn’t until starting her private practice that she found her passion for helping others understand this disability. She has been an adjunct instructor at Penn State, Alvernia, and Misericordia Universities and has guest lectured at several other colleges. She lives with her husband of 33 years. They have two adult children. Both children and Cheri suffer from mild dysgraphia. She believes that understanding dysgraphia is essential to life success.
78-word count/ 520 characters
Cheri is an international speaker, author, and consultant who helps teachers, therapists, and parents build clarity, community, and competency around the barriers to writing success. She believes that through awareness and education, together, we can impact the lives of 110 million children by 2025. She is an occupational therapist, adjunct instructor, and author of Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect and Math Dys-Connected, to be released in 2023. She lives with her husband of 32 years. They have two adult children.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to help teachers, therapists, and parents raise the next generation of leaders by hacking barriers to writing success (dysgraphia).
Vision
At Dotterer Educational Consulting, we know that the physical and emotional cost of education is holding back our future leaders because students have difficulty accessing their way to learn. We design professional development tools that help ALL students, including 1/3 of the population with writing challenges, engage in learning to become the leaders they were meant to be.
Tagline
Together we can impact the lives of 110 Million children by 2025 with writing challenges.
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