1.4 Problem of writing
Attention Problem
Children who struggle with attention may be inattentive and impulsive. An attention problem may manifest itself as:
o difficulty getting started on writing assignments
o easy distractibility during writing tasks
o mental fatigue or tiredness while writing
o inconsistent legibility in writing
o uneven writing tempo
o many careless errors
o poorly planned papers and reports
Spatial Ordering Problem
Children who struggle with spatial ordering have decreased awareness regarding the spatial arrangement of letters, words, or sentences on a page. A spatial ordering problem may manifest itself in a child's writing as:
o poor use of lines on the paper
o organizational problems
o uneven spacing between letters
o many misspelled words
Sequential Ordering Problem
Children who struggle with sequential ordering have difficulty putting or maintaining letters, processes, or ideas in order. A sequential ordering problem may manifest itself in a child's writing as:
o poor letter formation
o transposed letters and spelling omissions
o poor narrative sequencing
o lack of transitions
Memory Problem
Because so many writing processes need to be automatic, active working memory is critical. Children may have difficulty recalling spelling, grammar, and punctuation rules, accessing prior knowledge while writing, or organizing ideas. A memory problem may manifest itself in a child's writing as:
o poor vocabulary
o many misspelled words
o frequent capitalization, punctuation, and grammar errors
Language Problem
Good writing relies on a child's language abilities improving steadily over time. A language problem may manifest itself in a child's writing as:
o poor vocabulary
o awkward phrasing and unconventional grammar
o inappropriate use of colloquial language
o difficulty with sentence structure and word order
o trouble reading back what is written
difficulty with word sounds, spelling, and meanings