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Original poster

Affects of lack of sleep on spelling

20 replies

ACTW · 27/04/2012 12:01

Hi
Due to health issues my DD struggled to sleep through the night until she was just over 7 years' old. Happily we've sorted out the issues and she is sleeping now (nearly 8 now). Her spelling has been an issue for a while as she's a bit behind v her age. Tests show no underlying issues. Does anyone have any info, or can point me in the right direction, for info on the impact of poor sleep on spelling ability? Have googled but not found anything useful.
Thanks

OP posts:
HangingGarden · 27/04/2012 14:03

Why do you think this is a sleep related problem?

maizieD · 27/04/2012 16:56

I can see that lack of sleep could easily affect concentration and impair the ability to learn.

With regard to the spelling, I suggest that you follow Indigo Bell's advice on this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/1459952-DD-9-has-dyslexia-but-is-average-at-school-so-intervention-by-them-is-minimal

mrz · 27/04/2012 17:31

Tired children usually struggle with all learning not just spelling

cat28 · 27/04/2012 17:58

Shouldn't that be the effects of lack of sleep???

Feenie · 27/04/2012 17:59

Yes! Grin

clam · 27/04/2012 18:16

Glad someone else pointed that one out. Grin

maizieD · 28/04/2012 16:04

I wasn't going to lay myself open to accusations of pedantry Wink

I agree, mrz, lack of sleep may not affect just one area of learning. OP didn't say anything about how dd is achieving in other areas.

It could just be confusing instruction...

IndigoBell · 28/04/2012 19:48

I don't remember poor sleep being associated with dyslexia.

It can be associated with dyspraxia (either bed wetting, or excessive movement) - and of course dyspraxia and dyslexia are often co-morbid.

Can you tell us anymore about her sleep problems?

Also tell us more about her spelling problems. Does she spell phonetically?

What's her reading like? Can she sound out new words? Or has she learnt to read by memorising every one?

maizieD · 29/04/2012 10:29

I don't remember poor sleep being associated with dyslexia.

Well, it must be about the only thing that isn't associated with dyslexia, then... Shock

Yes, OP, some more information might be helpful.

IndigoBell · 29/04/2012 11:10

Bloody hell!

Is that yet another reason why DD gets very tired?

Not because she doesn't get enough sleep, but because the quality of her sleep is poor?

I just always thought her brain was working so hard, she was exhausted. But of course her sleep being poor is a far more logical explanation.

Ok, maizie - you're right. Everything is related to dyslexia :)

maizieD · 29/04/2012 16:31

Oh bloody hell, too...

I was being ironical... Thanks a bunch, mrz Wink

mrz · 29/04/2012 16:32

welcome Grin

DeWe · 29/04/2012 19:05

Just my experience but dd2 who is generally a very good speller, I remember noticing in year 2 that she got every spelling right in the weekly test except the week she was performing in panto-and late up several nights. She got 3/10 that week. I tested her on them (without her having tried to learn them) a week later and she got them all right.

wheresthebeach · 30/04/2012 12:18

Wow - thanks everyone. She's performing really well in all other areas - reading is 2 years above her age, math above target etc etc. She does well in spelling tests, but doesn't seem to remember the words in her independant written work. Tests for dyslexia show a 'low probability'. She spells phonetically.
Sleep disturbance was due to reflux which was caused by delayed allergic reactions. Basically she suffered chronic stomach aches, and when she would lie down the food from her stomach would come up because the muscle in her throat wasn't working properly. She was on all sorts of drugs to settle her stomach but it would take a long time to get to sleep, then she'd wake up and vomit and sleep fitfully. Now she's on the right diet she's off drugs and sleeps soundly (only took 7 years' to sort!).
I'm wondering if she'll now catch up on the spelling now that she's getting a good nights sleep...or if there is something else we should be looking into.

mummytime · 30/04/2012 12:31

Poor sleep also affects behaviour. (Now do I bring this up in my conversation with school tomorrow. Antihistimines lead to better behaviour?)

wheresthebeach · 30/04/2012 18:51

Our school gets a bit funny about antihistimines unless 'doctors letter' to say they are needed....

mummytime · 30/04/2012 21:37

My DD was prescribed them at bedtime and her behaviour has improved. I don't drug kids without reason, but they are to help with a possible allergy which was affecting sleep.

HandMadeTail · 30/04/2012 21:53

The "low probability" of dyslexia could well be because of above average intelligence. My DD has been assessed as dyslexic by an Ed Psych, but has been given tests designed to find those "at risk" of being dyslexic, where she was also given "low probability" of being dyslexic.

My DS is similar. His verbal intelligence was assessed as being 11yrs, when he was 6.9, but reading, spelling and reading comprehension "only" 8yrs.

If the school see no reason to test, then maybe you could consider doing it privately. And you may discover that she is not dyslexic, which can only be good!

But the Ed Psych who tested my DS said he was only confirming what I already suspected. For every "spike" on his profile as it was built up, he said "but you knew that already."

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