Dysorthographia and fatigue

Does your dysorthographic child come home from school exhausted, get irritable easily or fall asleep over homework? This fatigue is real, and it has an explanation. For them, every writing task demands an effort that others do not have to make. Here is how to understand it, recognise it and ease it. A genuine fatigue, which deserves to be taken seriously.

A very real fatigue

For a child with dysorthographia, writing is never automatic. Every word requires them to think about spelling, every sentence to keep the rules in mind. This mental work is exhausting. This mental work is invisible.

As written work features in almost every school activity, they make this effort all day long. By the end of the day, their reserves are often empty. Their reserves run out quickly.

This fatigue is not laziness or a lack of willpower. It is the direct consequence of their disorder. It deserves to be recognised. See common misconceptions.

How to recognise it

Fatigue can show itself in different ways: irritability, tantrums, tears, difficulty concentrating, wanting to sleep, headaches. These signs should be a cause for concern.

It can also be seen in the work itself: mistakes increase towards the end of the day or week, handwriting deteriorates, the child takes longer and longer. Fatigue shows in the work.

Some children hold it in at school and let it burst out at home, once they feel safe. Home becomes the place where they break down. See dysorthographia and tantrums.

Easing it at school

At school, several adjustments reduce fatigue: less copying thanks to photocopied lessons, extra time, breaks, lighter assessments. These adjustments provide relief.

Using tools such as a computer with a spell checker can also reduce the effort, once it is well mastered. The tool reduces the effort.

These adjustments can be set out in the PAP. The PAP can provide for them. See PAP and dysorthographia.

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Easing it at home

At home, plan a genuine break after school before homework. A snack, a moment of relaxation, some movement. The break is essential.

Limit how long homework takes, and speak to the teacher if it takes too much time. Favour oral methods for learning lessons. Oral methods are less tiring.

See organising homework. Quality matters more than quantity.

Sleep, essential

Good sleep is vital for recovery and for memorising. Make sure your child gets enough sleep, with regular hours. Sleep is restorative.

Avoid screens in the evening, which delay falling asleep. Establish a calm bedtime routine. The routine helps them drift off.

See dysorthographia and sleep. Good sleep makes all the difference.

Weekends and holidays

Weekends and holidays are essential times for recovery. Avoid filling them with exercises and revision. These moments are precious.

Your child needs to unwind, play and do activities they enjoy. These moments recharge their batteries for what comes next. Rest recharges the batteries.

See dysorthographia and holidays. Holidays should remain holidays.

When to worry

If the fatigue is very significant, persistent, or comes with other signs such as lasting sadness, sleep disturbances or refusing to go to school, speak to the doctor. An opinion can be helpful.

They can check that there is no other cause, and suggest support if needed. Other causes must be ruled out.

See psychologist and dysorthographia. Support can help.

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Questions that keep coming up

Why is my dysorthographic child so tired ?

Because written language demands constant effort from them, all day long. This fatigue is the direct consequence of their disorder. It is linked to the constant effort.