Exactly how important do you think writing is?

Question

I homeschool my daughter (10 yrs) who is mildly dyslexic, ADD, and has a neurological problem affecting her hands (mirror movements). She hates writing, doesn't even like to type. She can tell a wonderfully creative story, express herself verbally without trouble, but when it comes to writing a story on paper (or WP) I am lucky to get 3 sentences. I would like opinions on whether you think I should start allowing her to use dictation or voice recognition software or force her to write. In every other subject she is above grade level, so I'm not sure if making her write will hold her back or if not making her write will hold her back.

Answer 1

I use voice recognition all the time because I have Carpel Tunnel. I can't type or write for more than a few minutes before I have to stop and rest because my fingers are numb.

I think that a child with issues using it can be very beneficial to the child. After all they are still seeing what they wrote in black and white just as if they did write it. That said I also think that being able to put pen to paper and not getting a brain block is also important. She won't always have a computer in front of her and may need to write down what she needs.

I think you need to make her write some. Maybe you could start the assignment by writing but when she starts to get upset or frustrated with it then move to a tape recorder or voice recognition programs. At the first sign of problems move on to the software and let her finish there. That way she gets the practice of putting her thoughts on paper and can build the stamina she needs to be able to complete the assignment on paper but has a back up when things start to go wrong for her.

Answer 2

hello mam

i am a dyslexic and an expert in the same too (i am a speech therapiest)

i have gone thrugh this stage too and the only way is too take some proffesional help

you need to meet a speech therapiest as they will be able to guid you.

for her writing and typing she dose not do it because she realises that what she is writing has some mistakes in spelling, this acts as a discoragement for her and that is why she hates to write.

you can use type in word document where there is automatic correction of spelling this will her up

and if you wish to know more my email id is [e-mail]

Answer 3

I agree with some of the other people here-- let her dictate for now, don't let her creativity falter because she dislikes writing.

My daughter really hated writing when she was that age-- loved telling stories, hated the physical act of writing. She always had a little trouble with fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination.

Instead of writing, she would do "radio shows" or make her own video documentaries or dictate stories to me and I would type them out, or read them into a tape recorder. I'd give her grammar worksheets where she wouldn't have to write out long answers, just circle or underline or check things to correct them.

Encourage her to physically write a little bit, even if it is just copying things, or encourage her to learn to type, because eventually she's going to have to build on that skill.

Incidentally, my daughter started learning to type well at the age of 12, began writing more and more from that age on. I think if I kept pushing it, she would have just grown to hate it totally and never would have really become adept at writing anything.

Answer 4

I wouldn't worry about it. Let her use the voice recognition software. You don't want her to start hating writing or stop being creative and telling stories because she is forced into something she doesn't like or can't do very well. Continue on like you have and find other ways. As long as she knows how to write then no problem. In this day and age of technology everything is going digital. In college kids use voice recorders for lectures instead of writing. Most papers are not accepted in your own handwriting anyways. Look at Steven Hawking. He has done just fine for himself. She will be fine. When she gets to Highschool age or getting ready to go off to college and needs some extra help that will be when to seek it.

Answer 5

One of the things found in some recent studies (actually, not that recent, maybe 5-10 years ago) was that when they forced kids who had bad hand-eye coordination to write, rather than improving their physical writing skills, it decreased their storytelling and essay writing skills. In other words they did the same thing as your daughter: they made their stories/essays fit their coordination level, rather than the other way around. This is not healthy or helpful.

By all means, let her use the technology available to get her words out. It is foolish to risk damaging her writing (storytelling) ability in order to attempt to improve a mechanical skill. Try instead to work on that in other contexts.

Some ideas:

-Have her spend 5-10 minutes (no more than that unless she prompts it) a day copying from a book. Try to make it an interesting book, so she enjoys the work (those Uncle John's bathroom readers are good for something like this).

-Let her spend extra time playing games on the computer if she plays games that require some typing-like skill

-Encourage her to draw, or, better yet, paint or even fingerpaint. They are similar movements, just different enough that it might help.

-Try not to worry. In this day and age, she will never be unable to use the constantly improving technology...and if anyone ever questions it, she only need say "I have a hand problem, but I have lots of ideas!"

Answer 6

I think that forcing her to write will not help her like writing. Adults hardly ever write, what's functional? A signature, enough to write a grocery list (although most hubbies *I* know print out their lists....my friends and I were just discussing this)

I have a son with nld, and he has also neuro problems with writing. We've moved to keyboard, which he doesn't mind. Video games have actually helped train his hand-eye coordination so that he does better. Part of it will come with age, part with desire.

Personally, I would dictate for her, let her find other ways to keep information (like a tape recorder, etc) I honestly think it will develop when she's older, that's very common in kids with neuro differences.

Answer 7

Writing is important. You can ask an older faimly member/realetive to help her so it can be more fun for her

Answer 8

If she is planning on going to college, knowing how to express herself verbally will be no help, she needs to know how to express herself through paper and ink.

Once in college, she won't be doing all of her reports orally, most will be written.... therefore she needs to become comfortable in writing.

Answer 9

Though writing is very important for person who is not physically challenged but when there is neurological problem affecting the hands of a child he may not be forced to so. let her pure  wonderful thoughts be written by some helping hand enabling her express freely. Forcing her to write , which she do not like ,may have negative impact on her personality.

Answer 10

of course she needs to learn to write I am sure there are many Homeschooling sources out there for teaching children to write even with the challenges she has ! Voice recognition or dictation software sounds like a good solution!

..........I have a friend she homeschools her kids and they are very bright children!

Answer 11

Literacy, especially writing, is a fundamental part of society. Without writing, we would have to be memorizing every single note that passes our way. In fact, without writing, the world would not be as advanced as it is today. Almost all successful people have written something much longer than 3 sentences. So, make her write, it will help her later in life. A lot.

Answer 12

Definitely use dictation and voice recognition. What you are describing is an actual disability and an appropriate accommodation needs to be made. You should still work on the side with spelling or grammar or other things, even if it's done all orally combined with things to read and orally analyze. She needs to know all that stuff to be able to modify and correct mistakes made by recognition software.

An inspirational case of a writer who doesn't physically write anything himself is Stephen Hawking. It can be a wonderful way to feel like she's not alone in needing something else to get her thoughts on paper.

Answer 13

The act of physical writing can be slow and painful for kids whose imagination is miles ahead of where their hand is, dyslexic or not.  Let her dictate and have you transcribe, or if you can get voice recognition, do so.  

Writing isn't so much the physical act of it; it's putting thoughts together in a creative yet coherent way.

Just because she doesn't personally write or type something doesn't mean she's not 'writing.'

Help her out, give her the tools she needs to succeed, and don't worry about what's 'right.'

Answer 14

writing is very important, if u cant write u will get no where!!