Causes of dysorthographia

When you learn that your child has dysorthographia, one question often comes up: why? Parents sometimes wonder whether they did something wrong. The answer is no. Dysorthographia has neurological causes and is partly genetic. Here is what research says today. It should help you let go of any guilt and better understand your child.

A disorder that originates in the brain

Dysorthographia is a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means it is linked to the way the brain develops and organises itself, even before the child begins learning to write. These differences exist from birth, long before the first school lessons.

The areas of the brain that process the sounds of language and the form of written words work in a slightly different way in children with dys- disorders. This is not a lesion or an illness, but a particular organisation. Researchers observe these differences through brain imaging.

These differences do not affect intelligence. They concern specific functions needed for writing. They simply process written language in a different way. See dysorthographia and the brain.

A genetic component

Other people with dys- disorders are often found in the family of a child with dysorthographia: a parent, a brother or sister, an uncle. Studies of families and twins show that there is a significant genetic component. Twins who share the same genetic make-up are more often both affected.

There is not one gene for dysorthographia, but several genes that increase the risk, combined with other factors. Having a parent with dys- disorders does not mean the child will necessarily have them. The disorder results from a combination of factors.

If you yourself have had difficulties with spelling, do mention it to the doctor: it is useful information. It may also help you better understand your own experience. See dysorthographia: is it hereditary.

Weaknesses in processing sounds

In many children with dysorthographia, phonological awareness is fragile: they find it hard to perceive and finely manipulate the sounds of language. This directly hampers the transcription of words. The result is omissions, reversals or confusion of sounds.

This is not a hearing problem: the child hears perfectly well. It is the brain’s processing of speech sounds that is less precise. Similar sounds, such as “p” and “b”, are particularly difficult for them to tell apart.

This fragility is often present before learning to write, and can be spotted as early as nursery school. Sound games can then help to strengthen it. See phonological awareness.

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Weaknesses in memory and attention

Visual memory for words also plays a part. Some children struggle to store and recall the exact image of words, which makes spelling of common words very unstable. Irregular words are then particularly hard to remember.

Working memory, which allows information to be held in mind while it is being used, is often limited. Writing requires thinking about many things at once, and it quickly becomes overloaded. The child then has to make choices, and grammar often falls by the wayside.

Attention also plays a role, particularly for grammatical spelling. This is why dysorthographia is more common in children who have an attention disorder. An assessment can help identify these associated difficulties.

What does not cause dysorthographia

Dysorthographia is not caused by upbringing, reading methods, screens or a lack of effort. These factors can influence spelling levels, but they do not create a disorder. Screens, for example, may reduce reading time, but they are not responsible for the disorder.

Nor is it caused by a lack of intelligence, a psychological problem or a trauma. However, repeated difficulties can affect mood and confidence. These emotional consequences also deserve attention.

You are not responsible for your child’s dysorthographia. What matters is what you do now to support them. Your role is to support them, not to blame yourself for their disorder. See common misconceptions.

Factors that can make things worse

Some factors are not the cause, but can make the difficulties more visible: little exposure to written language, irregular teaching, great tiredness or a stressful context. These factors can be improved, unlike the causes of the disorder.

Associated disorders, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia or an attention disorder, also often worsen the situation, as they accumulate. A full assessment makes it possible to identify all of these disorders.

Conversely, an environment rich in reading, early screening and appropriate remedial support greatly limit the impact of the disorder. Acting early is therefore always beneficial.

Why understanding the causes helps

Understanding that dysorthographia comes from the way the brain works changes how you see your child. You stop thinking that they are not making an effort, and look for other ways to help them. This change in perspective is often a turning point for the whole family.

It also helps the child to cope better with their difficulties. Knowing that their brain works differently, and that it is not their fault, is often a real relief. It can also help them to explain their difficulties to others.

Finally, knowing the mechanisms involved makes it possible to choose targeted remedial support, which works on the fragile functions. Diagnosis is the starting point for this understanding. See what is dysorthographia.

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Questions that keep coming up

Is dysorthographia my fault? ?

No. Dysorthographia has neurological causes and is partly genetic. It is linked neither to upbringing, nor to the reading method, nor to a lack of effort. You have nothing to reproach yourself for.

Can screens cause dysorthographia? ?

No. Screens may reduce reading time and influence spelling levels, but they do not create a neurodevelopmental disorder such as dysorthographia. Encouraging reading remains a good habit, however.

Can dysorthographia appear in adulthood? ?

No, it is a disorder present since childhood. However, it can be diagnosed late, in an adult who has always had difficulties without knowing why. This late diagnosis is often a relief for the person.