Dysorthographia: how do I know if my child is dysorthographic?
All children make spelling mistakes — it is normal, and even unavoidable at the start of learning. But from what point do these mistakes become the sign of a genuine disorder? And how can dysorthographia be told apart from a simple temporary weakness? Here are the concrete markers for knowing when to be concerned and when to act.
What is normal in learning spelling
French spelling is one of the most complex in the world — with its many exceptions, subtle grammatical rules and cascading homophones. It is therefore entirely normal for children to make mistakes over several years of learning. In CE1-CE2 (Years 2–3), numerous phonological and grammatical errors are expected and normal. What should raise concern is the persistence of these errors despite regular teaching and sincere effort — not their mere presence.
The characteristic signs of dysorthographia
Several types of recurring and persistent errors point towards dysorthographia. Phonological errors are the first to observe: the child writes words as they sound, without respecting the spelling — “fénètre” for “fenêtre”, “trankilité” for “tranquillité”. Confusions between similar-sounding letters — b/p, d/t, f/v — are also characteristic. Reversals of syllables or letters within words — “porue” for “roupe” — signal instability in orthographic representations.
Persistent grammatical errors are another important indicator: systematic confusions between grammatical homophones — a/à, et/est, son/sont — failure to agree past participles, and errors of agreement in gender and number despite numerous corrections and revision.
Resistance to correction: the key sign
What fundamentally distinguishes dysorthographia from a simple spelling weakness is resistance to learning despite appropriate teaching and genuine effort. A child with dysorthographia may complete a conjugation exercise 20 times in a row and still make the same errors the next day. They may correct a mistake in their text and reproduce it two lines further on. This resistance deeply frustrates the child — who often understands the rule but cannot apply it automatically.
At what age can dysorthographia be suspected?
Initial suspicions can arise as early as CE1-CE2 (Years 2–3), when spelling is genuinely taught in a systematic way. If, despite regular work and appropriate support, the errors remain very numerous and do not decrease over the months, it is time to consult a speech and language therapist for an assessment. It is inadvisable to wait until secondary school — the earlier the support, the more effective it is.
How can a certain answer be obtained?
The only reliable way to obtain an answer is to consult a speech and language therapist for a complete assessment of written language. This assessment evaluates reading, phonological and lexical spelling, verbal memory and grammatical skills using standardised tools. It is reimbursed by the Sécurité Sociale on medical prescription. To find a speech and language therapist specialising in DYS disorders, professionnelsdys.fr offers a comprehensive directory that is regularly updated.
And in adults?
Dysorthographia does not disappear at the end of schooling. Many adults live with undiagnosed dysorthographia — they avoid writing, constantly apologise for their mistakes, or compensate with spell checkers without understanding why spelling remains so laborious. An adult diagnosis is possible and useful at any age.
