Just poor handwriting or something more?

[2gorgeousboys]

DS2 (10 and in year 6) has very poor handwriting, the letters and words are inconsistently spaced and do not sit on the line. His December school report gives him a 5b for reading with a reading age of 14 years 8 months and a spelling age of 12 years+ but a writing age of 4c.

Although his spelling, verbally and in an actual test, is good when writing he often makes silly mistakes and misspells words that I know he can spell. He is also very slow at writing - his comprehension homework which should take 30 minutes often takes 2 or 3 hours.

I have spoken to his class teacher several times and we have been doing additional handwriting homework for over 12 months. His writing has improved a little (it is now legible which it wasn't in Year 3!) but they seem to think he is lazy and just has poor handwriting.

My concern is that we may be missing something as there seems to be a discrepancy between his reading and writing and also between work he does on paper and on the laptop.

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on how else we can help?

Any other motor skills issues?
What's his mental maths like?

Pondering whether any possibility of dyspraxia or poor working memory?

Is 4c really behind though? I thought the expected level for the end of year 6 is 4b.

If so, considering we are only in January atm he isn't doing badly, just that he doesn't seem to be excelling beyond his years like he is in his reading.

Is there anything else that makes you think something isn't quite right?

Thanks for the response Tween. There are no motor skills issues BUT he can't tie his shoe laces. His maths is good in general but really struggles with his times tables (and telling the time).

I think what worries me is that he has a great imagination and loves drama so he comes up with fab stories and things verbally but can't seem to get what's in his head down in paper.

Sorry Sherry, cross post. Thanks for your response too. He gets very upset by the fact he doesn't get his work finished and told off for his handwriting.
If hes not behind then brilliant

Ask your school's Senco about dyspraxia in regards to his recording skills just to see if they perceive a problem. In Y6 I would be minded to add touch typing to the handwriting practice.

Your ds sounds very much like a boy I taught last year. Very, very bright. Verbal skills way beyond what he could produce on paper. Parents paid for a Dyslexia assessment which found that he did not have Dyslexia not Dyspraxia but did have Dysgraphia. It's a very interesting learning need.

We introduced touch typing to support his computer typing speed. He also qualified for additional time in his Year 6 tests. He's in Secondary school now going from strength to strength.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll look at touch typing for him.
Dysgraphia sounds really interesting Finola. Secondary school is one of my worries, because i don't want them to judge him based on what he cam get down on paper so extra time and typing could be useful.

It sounds like I need to speak to school again and if its just bad handwriting then great but if it is something else ie Dysgraphia/Dyspraxia then better to get some support.

Was about to suggest dysgraphia. My son was diagnosed with this last summer, aged 13. Verbally he is fantastic, great ideas, imagination etc . Good at comprehension , comes across as able until he has to write it down. Then it's a totally different story. Second investigating dysgraphia . My son uses a laptop in lessons and gets extra time in exams .

Thanks for the input Petrova - I'd never heard of Dysgraphia until today but from some basic research this afternoon he does seem to tick some of the boxes!

Quick update, I met with DS2's head teacher today. She is going to speak to a lady who works with the school to assess Dyslexia etc and ask her to assess him. Thanks for all your help and advice.

Ask what his CATS score is (not SATS) and look into his present performance grades.