My Child Struggles to Write: Could It Be a Sign of Dyslexia?

When Writing Feels Like a Puzzle with Missing Pieces

You've seen your child at the kitchen table again, pencil in hand, erasing more than they write. Letters float off the lines or reverse themselves. Words disappear mid-thought. A five-minute writing task turns into tears, frustration, and the question you keep asking yourself: Why is this so hard for them?

If this sounds familiar, first—take a breath. You're not alone, and neither is your child. Writing difficulties are common, especially between ages six and twelve, when children are expected to sharpen these skills rapidly. But when the struggle persists, it can raise deeper questions: is it a learning style mismatch, a confidence issue, or could it be something like dyslexia?

Untangling the Signs: Struggling to Write vs. Dyslexia

Many people associate dyslexia only with reading problems, but it doesn’t stop there. Dyslexia can also affect spelling, grammar, sentence organization, and handwriting. This is why writing often becomes particularly daunting for children with dyslexia—the act itself demands a coordinated dance of spelling, word retrieval, sequencing, and fine motor skills. If your child is struggling to write correctly, dyslexia could be playing a role, especially if you notice the following patterns:

• Frequent letter reversals (like b/d or p/q), still present beyond age 7
• Terrible spelling even of common or recently-learned words
• Trouble expressing ideas on paper in an organized way
• Writing that's far below verbal expression
• Fatigue or intense frustration after short writing tasks

Still, it’s important to remember: difficulty writing doesn’t always mean dyslexia. Other factors—like ADHD, language processing issues, anxiety, or even perfectionism—can show up in writing too. If you're wondering where your child falls on the spectrum, this guide can help you tell the difference.

“But They Can Speak So Well!” — When There’s a Gap Between Thoughts and Writing

This is one of the most puzzling things for parents: your child tells brilliant stories aloud, full of imagination and detail—but put a pencil in their hand, and it all evaporates. That’s because writing demands multiple cognitive steps all at once. For neurodiverse kids, these systems don’t always sync up intuitively.

Consider a boy named Leo. He’s eight, with a vivid imagination and a natural storyteller. But when asked to write, even one sentence draws panic. He can’t remember how to spell the words he just said. His ‘b’s and ‘d’s do somersaults. His paragraphs vanish halfway through. For Leo, and many like him, the issue isn’t intelligence—it’s access. The ideas are there, but they’re barricaded behind the mechanics of writing.

In these cases, tools that bypass the most frustrating steps—like transforming a written passage into an audio adventure where the child hears their name and plays the hero—can reignite confidence. Apps like Skuli, for instance, offer this kind of immersive support, turning lessons into personalized audio stories that make learning feel like play instead of punishment.

What Can Parents Do at Home?

If writing brings out your child’s stress and self-doubt, your home doesn’t need to become another battleground. Instead, here are some supportive strategies that can make a big difference over time:

Create a Safe Writing Space—Emotionally and Physically

Let go of perfection. Allow for drafts that are messy, misspelled, even dictated if necessary. Normalize the idea that writing is rewriting. Provide ergonomic pencils, lined or graph paper, and perhaps a quiet, distraction-free corner where the pressure melts away.

Support Through Listening and Dialogue

Sometimes just talking through ideas before writing can reduce a child’s anxiety. Ask open-ended questions about a book they read or a topic they’re studying. Let them record their thoughts on your phone before transcribing or typing them out together. You'll be surprised how much more easily words come when they don’t start with a blank page.

Embrace Alternatives to Traditional Writing Practice

Games, movement, and even art can scaffold your child’s written expression. Educational games tailored to dyslexic learners can reinforce writing through play. Some families find success using typing software designed for dyslexia, while others rely on dictation tools that let kids speak their ideas first.

Focus on Strengthening the Joy of Language

Above all, avoid letting writing struggles steal your child’s love of stories or communication. Read to them. Have them read to you—even if it’s just a sentence or two at a time. Choose high-interest books, including graphic novels or audiobooks. If your child is reluctant, here are gentle ways to motivate them to read without a daily battle.

When to Seek a Professional Opinion

If your child’s writing difficulties impact their classroom confidence, mood, or academic progress—and especially if you see patterns across both reading and writing—it may be time to ask for a formal evaluation. Most school districts can conduct assessments for suspected learning differences like dyslexia. You can also consult private neuropsychologists or educational therapists.

Early diagnosis can be powerful. Children with dyslexia can learn to read and write—just often through different paths. With appropriate interventions and plenty of encouragement, they can not only catch up but thrive.

While you’re navigating this process, gentle supplemental tools can help without overwhelming. For example, snapping a quick photo of a class lesson and turning it into a kid-friendly quiz for review (like with Skuli) can make practicing feel less like work and more like a fun challenge.

Final Thoughts: Behind the Letters, a Human Story

It’s painful to watch a bright child lose their joy because a pencil won’t cooperate with their brain. But behind every reluctant writer is a thinker, a dreamer, a child full of things to say. With patience, support, and the right guidance, you can help your child bring their voice to the page—whether they write it, speak it, or build it piece by piece.

If you’re looking for home exercises to gently strengthen your child’s writing and reading connection, here are some thoughtful activities you can try.