Dear Ruth,

Although I never really named it 'dyslexia,' my writing doesn’t always go right. I think one thing and write another. As an example, I’ll think one letter, but use another, knowing full well that I just made an error, and have to return to correct it. I transpose letters and numbers. I just call it crossed wires. Brain overload.

C.T.

Dear C.T.,

The way we learn to translate thoughts into writing, smoothly and accurately, is by smooth, accurate practice. It is difficult to practice this way if we really believe that our 'wires' are crossed and that we are stuck with frustrating mistakes forever.

Try looking at it this way: accurate and fluent writing is a learnable skill.

An enjoyable way to practice fluent writing is called Nonstop Writing. You write whatever happens to pop into your mind, for a specified amount of time, say two minutes. Write at a pace that is comfortable for you. If you run out of ideas, do not stop--just keep writing the last word over and over until something else pops into your head. Head head head head head head. Do you get the idea?

Do not worry about spelling; just practice writing your thoughts. If you happen to catch yourself transposing letters, do not go back--go forward and rewrite the word the way you wnated wanted wanted wanted to.

Nonstop Writing is fun, and it helps you to practice the connection between your flowing thoughts and the mechanical act of getting them into writing. You might want to give this a try.

Best Wishes,
Ruth Alice Jurey, M.S.
Speech/Language Pathologist