Starting in first grade my DS (now in third grade) struggled with writing. There are a few things at play (dysgraphia, etc.), but it was also the fact that he didn't want to write a word down if it wasn't spelled correctly. He also struggled with spelling as we believe he is a whole-word reader and didn't rely on phonics to read which made spelling difficult. While he couldn't spell a word correctly, once he saw it written down he would know immediately if it was incorrect - but didn't know how to fix it- and his perfectionism caused him to be extremely upset about it. His writing turned into four words sentences using very simple vocabulary so he didn't get things wrong.
Three things seemed to have helped him. 1) Typing using word prediction software such as Ginger and using spell-check. This also taught him to spell some words as he would learn them after getting them wrong numerous times and being corrected. 2) Tutoring with the Wilson Reading program so he could learn the rules of phonics which he seems to have missed or skipped over learning. This helped his spelling tremendously. 3) Making him write as often as possible so that he started to get past his mental block of not wanting to get things wrong. This was the biggest struggle for him and us.
Also, we don't spell words for him unless it is necessary or else it won't work such as searching for something online. This I think helped him realize he just had to try his best.
Last edited by BlessedMommy; 10/25/15 06:40 PM.
