A learning disability in expressive writing affects a person's ability to write and organize thoughts on paper using appropriate detail, sequence, sentence structure, and literary form.
Learning Disabilities in Writing - LDs in expressive writing skills likely involve difficulty with expressive language processing and visual reasoning skill centers of the brain. They are believed to be hereditary or caused by developmental problems. However, they are not solely the result of problems with expressive or receptive language, visual or hearing problems, fine motor muscle coordination, or learning disabilities in basic writing skills, but they can be complicated by these conditions.
Expressive Writing Disabilities - People with LDs in expressive writing skills have significant difficulty completing schoolwork involving writing and using writing in everyday situations. They may not have difficulty with producing letters on paper, but they cannot use words to express organized and complete thoughts in writing. They may also have difficulty with word usage.
Expressive Writing Disabilities - Evaluation can provide information to help educators develop effective strategies. Typical strategies focus on developing pre-writing strategies to organize thoughts, using graphic organizers, mediated writing, and use of writing models. Teachers or speech language pathologists may also work on language-based aspects of writing to help learners build comprehension and spoken expression.
Expressive Writing Disabilities - People with LDs in expressive writing are at least as intelligent as their peers. They may appear lazy, but are just overwhelmed by writing tasks. They are often self-conscious about their disability and avoid writing. Uninformed teachers, students, and other adults may see them as less capable, when they are actually very capable and bright. LD students can be high achievers with the right specially designed instruction and accommodations. Some students understand much more than they are capable of expressing on paper, and others have receptive language disorders as well.
Expressive Writing Disabilities - Diagnostic writing tests can be used to determine the types of problems affecting the learner's writing. Through observations, analyzing student work, cognitive assessment, and possibly language assessment, educators can help the IEP team develop an appropriate individualized education program.
Expressive Writing Disability - If you believe you or your child has a learning disability in basic writing, contact your school principal or counselor for information on how to request an IEP team meeting to discuss a referral for assessment. For students in college and vocational programs, their school's advising office can assist with finding resources to improve their chances for success.
