They are many reasons why your dyslexic child finds spelling difficult.

When my daughter was in elementary school, I was frequently perplexed about her seeming inability to see the in-between things in language.

Along the way, on my journey to helping her eliminate the aspects of dyslexia which caused her to experience academic difficulties, I learned that one of the reasons she was challenged with spelling was black and white thinking.

What is Black and White Thinking

It is an all-or-nothing type of thinking. Things are seen in absolutes with no shades of gray in between.

In math, we use black and white thinking, for example 3+3 = 6 and never 5 or 7. The rules are fixed.

What is Shades of Gray Thinking

Gray is the in-between spectrum of black and white, so always or never become sometimes.

For English spelling, we need shades of gray thinking. For example, kindergarteners are taught that /c/ is for cat, car, cow, and /s/ is for sit, saw, sun.

Later, they are told that the words Circus, center, cereal are spelled with a /c/ when in their minds, based on what they were previously taught and how the words sound they should be spelled with an /s/.

How to Overcome This Spelling Error

Explicitly teach your child that

1. Some letters can make more than one sound.
2. Sometimes, two letters can make the same sound.

Using the letter /c/, here’s the rule:

• When /c/ comes directly before the letters /e/, /i/, or /y/, we use the /s/ sound.
• At other times the /c/ uses the /k/ sound.

I found that clearly explaining rules to my daughter, helped her understand the variations in spelling English words. Only then did spelling make sense to her.

Getting her to understand the difference in spelling sent, cent, and scent is a discussion for another time.  😁