Dysorthographia is one of the DYS disorders, specific learning difficulties that affect written language.
Often confused with dyslexia, it manifests mainly in the production of written work: spelling, grammar and agreement of words.
But how can you tell whether your child is affected?
1. The first signs at home
Dysorthographia appears as soon as children begin learning to write.
Parents often notice that the child:
- forgets letters or reverses their order;
- writes the same word differently a few lines apart;
- confuses similar sounds (“an” / “on”, “é” / “è”);
- writes slowly and tires quickly.
These errors are not due to a lack of attention.
They reflect a difficulty in memorising the written form of words.
The child hears the word perfectly well, but their brain cannot manage to fix its spelling.
2. At school: when the teacher becomes concerned
Teachers are often the first to spot the signs.
A child with dysorthographia makes more mistakes than average, even after several corrections or explanations.
They may write a word dictated slowly correctly, but get it wrong as soon as they write a free sentence.
Their written work then reveals:
- missing or inconsistent agreements,
- unstable grammar,
- errors that persist despite repetition exercises.
If these signs persist over time, a speech and language assessment becomes necessary.
3. Diagnosis: a key step
The diagnosis of dysorthographia is made by a speech and language therapist.
It is based on a series of tests that assess reading, dictation, visual memory and sound discrimination.
The aim is not to “mark” the child, but to understand how they learn.
To make the process easier, the website AidToi.fr offers a free online pre-diagnosis.
It helps families identify early signs and find a suitably qualified professional.
4. Why early detection changes everything
The earlier the disorder is identified, the more effective the support.
An early diagnosis makes it possible to:
- appropriate support at school,
- the introduction of a PAP (personalised support plan),
- access to digital tools such as Dystap.io to practise at home.
These solutions help the child progress without frustration, while regaining confidence in themselves.
5. In summary
Detecting dysorthographia is above all about observing the signs:
recurring mistakes, slowness in writing, difficulty remembering words.
Thanks to an appropriate assessment and caring follow-up, the child can rediscover the pleasure of writing and succeed in a different way.
