What is dysorthography?

Dysorthography is a learning disorder that specifically affects a child’s writing ability. It may occur alone but often accompanies dyslexia. Children with dysorthography experience significant, persistent difficulties when it comes to associating speech sounds with letters and creating mental images of words. As a result, they have a very hard time learning how to write, regardless of effort.

Learning to write is a difficult skill, one that many children find challenging. That said, parents should keep their eyes open for red flags. If your child’s difficulties persist and are having a negative impact on their self-esteem, they may need extra support.

Here are some examples of behaviours associated with dysorthography:

• Tendency to add or invert letters and syllables in words

• Difficulty applying subject-verb agreement rules (e.g., number, person, gender)

• Difficulty respecting word boundaries (e.g., theroom instead of the room; ananimal instead of an animal)

• Tendency to write the same word in different ways (e.g., vaycation, vacasion, vacation)

• Tendency to make numerous spelling mistakes

• Tendency to mix up homophones

If you suspect that your child is showing signs of dysorthography, consider talking to their teacher or the school’s resource teacher. These specialists can support you and suggest possible solutions. If a child’s spelling difficulties persist despite targeted classroom or remedial interventions, the school team will implement an individualized education plan. This document will outline a number of strategies to help your child overcome their writing difficulties.

If your child is diagnosed with dysorthography, their school team will most likely recommend that they start using writing aids. This accommodation is part of your child’s individualized education plan. Of course, for a writing aid to be effective, your child needs to be taught how to use it. Often, the school’s resource teacher will take on this responsibility.

There are a number of different writing aids available, but the following are used most often in schools:

• Word prediction tools (e.g., WordQ, Lexibar)

• Auditory feedback and synthesized speech tools (e.g., WordQ, Lexibar)

• Spell checkers (e.g., Antidote, SpellCheckPlus) – generally at the end of Cycle 3 or beginning of high school

• Online dictionaries (e.g., Usito, Antidote)

As a parent, you may initially feel powerless when faced with your child’s diagnosis. Fortunately, there are many strategies you can use to help them develop their writing skills and boost their self-esteem.

1. Explain to your child that their struggle has nothing to do with a lack of effort or intelligence.

2. Read children’s books about dysorthography. When a child understands the underlying cause of their writing difficulties, they tend to be more aware of where they’re succeeding and where they need help, and are more open to trying new strategies.

3. Encourage your child to use writing aids when doing their homework. These tools can help them work faster and more efficiently, and teach them how to make good writing choices.

4. Help your child read and spell their vocabulary words aloud. Take a break from pencils and paper!

5. Point out a word’s specific properties to help your child create a mental image.

6. Read to your child to show them how words are spelled while enjoying quality time together.

Finally, reward your child’s efforts and focus on the positives. Remember, writing is more than just spelling!

Poirier, Priska. La dyslexie-dysorthographie racontée aux enfants. Boucherville, Les Éditions de Mortagne, 13 août 2019, 72 p.

Poirier, Priska et Annie Tessier. La dyslexie-dysorthographie: la boîte à outils. Boucherville, Les Éditions de Mortagne, 11 juin 2019, 250 p.

Tremblay, Marianne. Laisse-moi t’expliquer... La dyslexie-dysorthographie. Québec, Éditions Midi Trente, 3 août 2021, 40 p.