The writing process is complex - there are many different skills required to completing a writing assignment. My ds has an expressive language disorder that impacts his ability to generate thoughts for written expression. Although written expression is the largest impact of his LD, it also shows up in his verbal expression too - but it's not easy to see unless you know what to look for. DS can talk like crazy about things that are concrete and factual and that he knows a lot about - but open-ended questions and expressing feelings etc are difficult for him. We didn't realize this as early as we saw the writing difficulties simply because he was so obviously smart when he did talk - but there were clues - one of which I think you've mentioned about your ds - appearing to be shy to talk to adults. His early struggles with writing also looked a lot like perfectionism but that wasn't really the issue.
Thanks, this really helps. It at least gives a place for me to start looking. I can look more into expressive language disorder and I guess I should call my daughters old therapist. She is a certified educational therapist who deals with kids who have reading and language difficulties. Told me back in February that she would be happy to try and fit my son into her schedule.
It is so hard because he is obviously so much more capable than his sister. In many situations he just shines. And he gets so frustrated with writing sometimes he just works himself into a state that pushing gets us nowhere. I'm going to have to take away his computer time today, because I tried that tactic last night and have to follow through with what I said.
