Very poor writing and spelling - ASD

[Blossom4538]

Hi all,

Dd, almost 8, ASD, has very poor spelling and punctuation use.

Is this usual with High Functioning Autism or could there be another learning disability such as dyslexia, poor working memory or something else at play?

She struggles usually to write much at school and home, but went on a mission last week, bless her! She was obsessive over writing pages and pages.

I was given copies as they were so pleased. Her ideas are lovely and descriptive, but she obviously seems behind or delayed and she struggles with spelling.

I can see she sometimes misses letters, has written a b instead of p, still says lis or lat, len rather than “this, that, then” and spells it that way, despite being taught otherwise. She occasionally mixes numbers up, but this is a recent development, after the initial expected mix ups in early years.

I’ve attached photos of her work.

I have a meeting with Consultant Paed this week and may mention.

She is attending some small intervention groups and we are pushing for EHCP and poss 2-1 or 1-1

From what I have been told, struggling with writing is common with children with autism. Part of the problem is they don't want to get anything "wrong."

My son finds it easier and quicker to use a word processor. Could this be an option for your daughter?

I would certainly raise all your concerns with the paediatrician, and with other professionals. If you are requesting an EHC Needs assessment, there should be an assessment carried out by an educational psychologist. I would also ask for assessments to be carried out by an SLT and an OT.

Does DD have SLT?

We are lucky and we have had Ed Psych in the past and ongoing access to OT, SLT and Camhs. Assessments were carried out as part of ASD diagnosis, also sensory issues looked into by OT. SLT support with Selective Mutism and school x

My DS is 12 now and very likely high functioning ASD - don't know how typical he is but he hates writing anything imaginative. His grammar and spelling are good - well, presume they are as he got 118 in the grammar and spelling SAT out of 120 in year 6. His handwriting is better than an adults and has been since year 2, his NT sister's is untidy though.

Do the school think she is behind? To me that writing doesn't look behind for that age, more around average, though its been a while since mine were that age and not a teacher so could be wrong. If you are worried I would raise it but not whilst she is there. I think she has done really well to produce that much.