Your child comes home from school with exercise books covered in little ‘ slips ’ in spelling. You wonder whether this is ‘ normal ’, simply a phase of learning, or whether you should knock on the door of a speech and language therapist. It is a question thousands of parents ask every year. And frankly, the answer is not written in the stars: it depends on many factors. So, together, let’s untangle what is true from what is false.
Dysorthographia: when it becomes a sign not to ignore
First, let’s remember this: making spelling mistakes at 7 or 8 years old is perfectly normal. Spelling is a gradual process of learning, not an innate skill. Even at 10, a few errors here and there is fine. But dysorthographia is something more than that.
Dysorthographia is when errors become systematic, persistent and disproportionate to the expected school level. We are talking about a genuine difficulty in automating spelling rules, even after repetition and teaching.
A few signs that should make you frown:
- Phonetic-type errors: the child writes as they hear it (‘ossi’ instead of ‘aussi’, ‘tro’ instead of ‘trop’). This suggests they do not have access to the correct spelling representation.
- Recurring confusions: the same mistake keeps coming back, again and again, even after correction. For example, systematically swapping ‘et’ and ‘est’.
- Omitted letters: letters regularly ‘disappear’, particularly silent letters or accents.
- Odd word segmentation: writing one word as two, or joining two words together for no reason.
- Difficulty copying: even when copying from a visible model, the child makes mistakes. This is a red flag.
- Texts that are almost illegible despite visible effort: this is not laziness, it is a genuine difficulty in accessing spelling forms.
The age of the first assessment: there is no magic age limit
Many parents ask: ‘At what age should we seek advice?’ The frustrating but honest answer is: it depends.
Before CP, it is rarely relevant to talk about dysorthographia, as the child is only learning the basics. But from CE1-CE2 onwards, if you notice difficulties that go beyond the ordinary, you can start to raise the question.
Ideally? Between CE2 and CM1, when spelling instruction is advanced enough for a proper evaluation. At this stage, if the child accumulates errors despite regular teaching, a consultation is worthwhile.
But be careful: waiting too long (until secondary school, for example) helps no one. The earlier you intervene, the more you can put suitable tools and strategies in place. And that is good for self-confidence and motivation.
How to tell whether it really is dysorthographia
Before rushing off to the speech and language therapist, ask yourself these questions:
- Does the child understand what they read? If so, it is not dyslexia. Dysorthographia concerns writing, not reading.
- Do they write as they speak (phonetically), or do they understand that there is a difference between the sound and the spelling? A genuine dysorthographia often shows as a persistent confusion between phonetic writing and correct spelling.
- Do the errors appear in every context: assessments, homework, free writing? Or is it just panic before a test?
- The child is not lazy: they genuinely try, but the errors persist all the same. (It is also important not to confuse dysorthographia with ‘lack of effort’. This is a trap that is really worth avoiding.)
First appointment: what to bring and what to expect
Right, you have decided to seek a consultation. Here is what is likely to happen.
The speech and language therapist will first carry out a full assessment. This means:
- An interview with you (the parents) and/or the child to understand the history, school life, and whether there are any family cases.
- Tests of reading, dictated writing, copying and common spelling.
- Sometimes, tests of oral language and phonemic awareness (the ability to manipulate sounds).
- An assessment of the overall profile: maturity, motivation, emotional context.
Bring with you:
- Recent exercise books or copies: this is concrete and helps the speech and language therapist spot patterns in the errors.
- A school report, if you have one (teacher’s comments, French grades).
- Results from other assessments if the child has seen a psychologist, a neuropsychologist, etc.
Afterwards, the speech and language therapist will give you a diagnosis (or not: it is also possible that this is simply a temporary difficulty or one linked to circumstances). If dysorthographia is confirmed, you will have a follow-up plan with clear goals.
The speech and language therapist alone is not enough, really
Something we do not say often enough: the speech and language therapist is great, but not magic. Sessions, once or twice a week, are a matter of equipping the child for the work ahead. The real magic happens every day at home and at school.
So the first assessment is also there to help you understand:
- How you can help at home, without falling into teaching traps (spoiler: making someone rewrite a word 50 times is not necessarily a good idea).
- How to set up genuine collaboration between school, family and speech and language therapist.
- What tools and adjustments, digital or not, could really make a difference to everyday life.
If you are looking for practical advice on helping your dysorthographic child without falling into common traps, we have an article dedicated to exactly that.
How long does it really take?
Let’s be honest: dysorthographia is not a cold that clears up in two weeks. It is a different way in which the brain’s spelling system works.
Speech and language therapy follow-up usually lasts six months to several years, depending on the severity and the child’s ability to progress. Some children see rapid progress in the first few months (which is psychologically very motivating), while others progress more slowly but steadily.
The key point: consistency and patience. And here is some genuinely good news: yes, children with dysorthographia do make progress. Not necessarily towards perfect spelling, but towards functional spelling that is less paralysing and, above all, towards a better sense of self-esteem.
When should you change speech and language therapist?
Sometimes the relationship with the speech and language therapist just doesn’t work. Or the methods do not match your child’s learning style. It is fine to change!
Signs that a change may be useful:
- The child refuses to attend sessions (emotional resistance, not just an off day).
- No progress after three to four months of regular follow-up.
- The approach is too rigid or makes you or your child feel guilty.
- A lack of collaboration or communication with the school.
A good speech and language therapist is someone who adapts, who listens, and who sees the child as a person rather than a set of misplaced letters.
What about school adjustments?
The consultation with the speech and language therapist can also be an opportunity to put adjustments in place at school: extra time for tests, access to a spell-checker, assessments that do not penalise spelling too heavily in other subjects, and so on.
This is not ‘cheating’. It is about putting in place the tools so that the assessment genuinely measures what the child knows, rather than just their dysorthographia.
Frequently asked questions
Can a speech and language therapist ‘cure’ dysorthographia?
No, dysorthographia is not an illness to be cured. It is a particular neurological way of functioning. But a speech and language therapist can really help your child develop strategies, make progress in spelling, and feel much more confident. It is an ‘improvement’, not a ‘disappearance’.
My child is in Year 10 and dysorthographic. Is it too late to start?
Never too late! Dysorthographic teenagers and adults can very well benefit from suitable speech and language therapy follow-up. In adolescence, it is also a good time to properly explore digital tools and coping strategies that will make studying and everyday life easier.
How do I get it covered by the French national health insurance?
A speech and language therapy consultation on medical prescription (from a GP, a paediatrician or a specialist) can be covered by the Assurance Maladie. The reimbursed rate depends on your region and your scheme. Some supplementary insurers also cover part of the cost. Check with your speech and language therapist and your health insurance fund.
To find out more
- Ameli.fr: The website of the Assurance Maladie provides information on allied health professionals (including speech and language therapists), their reimbursement and the conditions for coverage.
- La Fédération Française des Orthophonistes (FFO): It offers a directory of approved speech and language therapists and resources to help you understand speech and language therapy intervention for dysorthographia.
- La Maison Départementale des Personnes Handicapées (MDPH): To explore school adjustments, human support or suitable tools, you can contact the MDPH in your department, which coordinates compensation solutions.
