Dysorthographia: how to explain this disorder to your child and at school?
Explaining dysorthographia is an essential step in providing support. A child who understands what they are going through changes how they relate to their own difficulties. And a well-informed school adapts its practices more easily. Here is how to explain dysorthographia to different audiences.
Why explaining dysorthographia to your child is essential
A dysorthographic child who does not understand what is happening to them interprets their spelling difficulties through the lens of personal failure. “I’m rubbish at spelling”, “I’m stupid”, “I’ll never manage” — these negative thoughts, if they are not countered by a fair explanation, gradually take hold and durably weaken self-esteem. Naming the disorder removes its sense of shame and gives it an objective neurological dimension.
How to explain dysorthographia to a young child
For a child aged 6 to 9, simple metaphors work very well. You can tell them that their brain is very good at lots of things — maths, stories, sport, drawing — but that for letters and spelling, they need a little more help than others. Just as some children need glasses to see clearly, they need special exercises and particular tools to write correctly. The essential thing is to convey two clear messages: it is not their fault, and they will receive help to make progress.
How to explain dysorthographia to an older child or a teenager
From the age of 10, a more precise explanation is possible and welcome. You can explain that their brain processes sounds and letters in a different way from others — that it is neurological, and that it comes from the way their brain has been wired since birth. You can show them that brilliant people have had or still have similar difficulties and have succeeded in their fields thanks to their strengths and the right tools.
How to explain dysorthographia to teachers
With teachers, the approach should be practical and solution-focused. Rather than lengthy discussions of neurology, focus on the concrete consequences in the classroom — the child takes much longer to produce written text, their errors do not reflect their knowledge, systematic red correction is counterproductive — and on simple adjustments to put in place. A one-page document summarising the main difficulties and the recommended accommodations is far more effective than a long, technical speech and language therapy report.
How to explain dysorthographia to classmates
With the agreement of the child and their parents, a simple awareness session can be held in class. The teacher can explain that some children have specific difficulties with spelling — not because they are less intelligent, but because their brain works differently. This awareness reduces teasing born of misunderstanding and fosters a climate of kindness. For awareness resources on dysorthographia and DYS disorders, lesdys.fr offers accessible materials.
