Dyslexia and Writing: Why Your Child Struggles & How to Help
If your child has dyslexia, you've probably noticed something frustrating: the reading struggles don't stop at reading. Writing—whether it's homework, a simple sentence, or their own name—can feel like an uphill battle too.
You're Not Imagining It
You're not imagining it. And no, your child isn't being lazy.
Dyslexia writing challenges are real, and they affect far more children than most parents realize. Understanding why this happens is the first step toward helping your child break through.
The Hidden Connection Between Dyslexia and Writing
Most parents discover dyslexia through reading struggles. But here's what often surprises them: dyslexia is a language processing difference, not just a reading problem.
According to the International Dyslexia Association, dyslexia affects phonological processing—the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in language. This same skill is essential for both decoding words (reading) and encoding words (spelling and writing).
What Happens When Your Child Writes
When your child writes, their brain has to:
Retrieve Words
Retrieve the right words from memory
Translate Sounds
Translate sounds into letters (phonological encoding)
Sequence Letters
Sequence letters in the correct order
Hold Ideas
Hold multiple ideas in working memory while physically writing
Monitor Errors
Monitor what they've written for errors
For a child with dyslexia, several of these steps are significantly harder than they are for their peers. This is why the writing issues with dyslexia often catch parents off guard—they weren't expecting the reading struggles to spill over into every written task.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Not sure what's causing your child's struggles? Our Struggling Reader's Roadmap helps you identify the root cause and find the right path forward. [Get Your Free Roadmap →]
Understanding the obstacles
5 Reasons Dyslexic Kids Struggle with Writing
Understanding the specific writing difficulties dyslexia causes helps you (and your child) stop blaming effort and start targeting the real obstacles.
01
Spelling Is Exhausting
Spelling requires converting sounds to letters—the exact skill dyslexia disrupts. Your child might know how a word sounds but have no reliable system for getting it onto paper. This is why invented spellings like "sed" for "said" or "becuz" for "because" are common.
Research from the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity confirms that spelling difficulties often persist even after reading improves, because encoding (writing) is typically harder than decoding (reading).
02
Ideas Get "Stuck" Between Brain and Paper
Your child might tell you an elaborate, creative story out loud—then freeze when asked to write it down. This isn't laziness. It's a working memory bottleneck.
Writing requires holding ideas in mind while simultaneously managing spelling, handwriting, and grammar. For dyslexic learners, the mental effort spent on spelling leaves little room for higher-level thinking.
03
Handwriting Adds Another Layer
Many children with dyslexia also struggle with handwriting (a condition called dysgraphia when severe). The physical act of forming letters takes so much concentration that the content suffers.
04
Organization Feels Overwhelming
Sequencing—putting things in logical order—is often difficult for dyslexic learners. This affects writing at every level: letters within words, words within sentences, and ideas within paragraphs.
05
Past Failure Creates Avoidance
After years of corrections, low grades, and frustration, many dyslexic children develop writing anxiety. They've learned that writing = struggle = failure, so they avoid it entirely.
Signs Your Child Has Writing Issues with Dyslexia
Not sure if dyslexia is affecting your child's writing? Look for these patterns:
Verbal vs. Written Gap
Massive gap between verbal ability and written output
Slow Pace
Extremely slow writing pace
Avoidance Behaviors
Avoidance behaviors (meltdowns, procrastination, "I can't think of anything")
Spelling Issues
Bizarre or inconsistent spelling
Messy Handwriting
Messy, hard-to-read handwriting
Short Responses
Very short written responses despite being told to write more
Lost Ideas
Great ideas that "disappear" when it's time to write
If you're researching dyslexia and writing because this sounds like your child, you're not alone—and there's help available.
WORKSHOP: Join our free online workshop, "Understanding Your Struggling Reader," where we walk through exactly how to identify what your child needs. [Reserve Your Spot →]
Evidence-based strategies
What Actually Helps with Dyslexia Writing Challenges
The good news? Writing can improve with the right approach. Here's what works:
1. Separate the Tasks
Don't make your child do everything at once. Break writing into stages:
- Brainstorm (ideas only, no writing)
- Draft (get words on paper, ignore spelling)
- Revise (improve content)
- Edit (fix spelling/grammar last)
This reduces the cognitive load at each step.
2. Let Them Talk First
Use speech-to-text tools or have your child dictate their ideas while you (or a device) transcribe. This lets their creativity flow without the spelling bottleneck.
3. Teach Spelling Through Phonics—Not Memorization
Random spelling lists don't work for dyslexic learners. They need systematic, explicit instruction that connects sounds to spelling patterns. Programs using Orton-Gillingham principles are particularly effective for addressing writing difficulties dyslexia creates.
4. Allow Accommodations Without Guilt
Typing instead of handwriting, using spell-check, having extended time—these aren't "cheating." They're tools that level the playing field so your child can show what they actually know.
5. Build Confidence First
Before your child can improve, they need to believe improvement is possible. Celebrate small wins. Focus on what they did express rather than what they misspelled.
The Role of Structured Literacy in Writing
If your child is receiving reading intervention, make sure it includes spelling and writing—not just decoding. The best approaches use structured literacy, which teaches the relationships between sounds, letters, and meaning explicitly and systematically.
At Learn Your Way Literacy, our [Dyslexia-Specific Reading Program] uses Orton-Gillingham-inspired methods that build both reading and spelling skills. And our [Creative Writing Program] is designed specifically for kids who struggle to get their ideas on paper—using creativity and engagement rather than worksheets and red ink.
ENROLL NOW: Ready to help your child build real reading AND writing skills?
Explore our programs and find the right fit. [View Programs →]
When to Seek Help for Dyslexia and Writing
If your child's writing struggles are:
Causing significant stress at home
Affecting their grades or self-esteem
Not improving despite practice
Accompanied by reading difficulties
...it's time for targeted intervention. The earlier you address dyslexia writing challenges, the faster your child can build the skills—and confidence—they need.
You're Not Alone in This
Watching your child struggle with something as fundamental as writing is hard. But understanding why it's happening changes everything.
Dyslexia isn't a measure of intelligence. Your child's brain is wired differently—and with the right instruction, that wiring can become a strength.
The first step? Understanding exactly what your child needs.
Download your free Struggling Reader's Roadmap and start finding answers today. →
About Learn Your Way Literacy: We provide online reading and writing instruction for struggling and neurodivergent learners ages 7-14. Our programs combine Science of Reading methods, multisensory instruction, and a unique focus on teaching kids how they learn—so they don't just catch up, they take ownership of their education. [Learn more about our approach →]