Help with "disorder of written expression"

[Mom 2 3]

Ds was just diagnosed on Thursday with disorder of written expression. I am feeling a little overwhelemed. I am trying to decide on a good curriculum for him. Does anyone have any ideas? Also, should I get a tutor for him?

[Mama Bear]

Ds was just diagnosed on Thursday with disorder of written expression. I am feeling a little overwhelemed. I am trying to decide on a good curriculum for him. Does anyone have any ideas? Also, should I get a tutor for him?

What age/grade? Are you looking for a whole curriculum or certain subjects?

:grouphug:

[LizzyBee]

Ds was just diagnosed on Thursday with disorder of written expression. I am feeling a little overwhelemed. I am trying to decide on a good curriculum for him. Does anyone have any ideas? Also, should I get a tutor for him?

Were you given information about the underlying causes? If not, I would ask for that information, as the best method for remediation depends on the causes. I have 2 dx'd with disorders of written expression, but the causes are not the same. One of them has a slow processing speed and visual-motor integration weakness. The other has dyslexia, working memory deficit, fine motor weaknesses, and ADHD.

[Mom 2 3]

Ds is 8. The diagnoses included memory deficit and slow processing speed. He is doing fine in math. I want to focus on reading, spelling, and writing.

[LizzyBee]

SWB's new writing curriculum might be a good choice. The first two workbooks are complete. They include mostly copywork, narration, and dictation rather than original compositions. This separates the skills of grammar and structure from the act of writing, allowing the student to develop the skills separately before using them all together.

My 12 yo with a writing disorder likes Classical Writing, but she didn't do Aesop until 6th grade. Depending on the severity of your dd's disability, it might be too much at 8 yo. However, CW is supposed to be releasing a Writing Primer soon.

A lot of people like IEW for kids who struggle with writing. I think I see IEW recommended more often than any other writing curriculum for kids with LDs.

You mentioned reading and spelling. Where are your ds's skills at this point? Below, at, or above grade level? My 12 yo had a horrible time with spelling the first few years of school. Calvert Spelling on CD was the key that finally unlocked spelling for her, but that's an unusual choice for a kid with LDs. At this point, she is a decent speller, but I don't think she'll ever be a great speller.

My 12 yo has slow processing speed, but not working memory deficits. My 7 yo has working memory deficits, and her auditory memory in particular is very weak. As soon as her phonemic awareness is sufficiently remediated, we will begin Barton Reading and Spelling. It's an Orton Gillingham program; if your ds is reading and spelling at or above grade level, OG would probably be overkill and boring for him.

Some other programs you might consider: ABeCeDarian and All About Spelling.

I hope something here helps.

[homeschool_mom]

My son struggles a lot with writing. We just started using IEW and it's working out well. I also like Imitation in Writing.

[Laurie4b]

Is there any trouble with the physical act of handwriting, or is it just with getting his thoughts on paper? Also, what issues are there with reading?