Students with dyslexia may also struggle to form mental images of common English letter patterns. This affects not only spelling but also the correct use of grammar and punctuation. Typically, grammar skills develop through reading. However, dyslexic students often read less and may retain fewer grammar patterns from the text they encounter.

How WritingKey™ Helps

The WritingKey™ dyslexia writing program was created with these obstacles in mind. By providing clear visual cues, it supports students through every phase of the writing process—from brainstorming to editing. This reduces cognitive load and enhances accuracy in punctuation and grammar.

Grammar skills are best developed through the act of reading. Students who spend more time reading, benefit from additional exposure to the punctuation found in the texts they read. Not only do students with dyslexia often spend less time reading, they also do not always retain as much of what they are seeing on the page when it comes to grammar and punctuation.

The WritingKey™ program was developed with all of this in mind. It offers students visual cues they can use during the editing process that allow them to properly punctuate what they have written.

Reducing Anxiety Through Visual Cues

Traditional grammar instruction can be overwhelming for dyslexic learners. Complex rules may be difficult to decode, leading to frustration and anxiety. WritingKey™ simplifies grammar instruction using visuals that align with students’ strengths. As they experience success, confidence naturally follows.

Overcoming the Fear of Mistakes

Fear of making errors can stop dyslexic students from writing altogether. WritingKey™ encourages separating writing and editing, so students can focus first on getting ideas down. Mistakes become part of the process rather than obstacles.

The WritingKey™ program encourages students to separate the writing and editing steps, thus freeing them of this hindrance. They feel more comfortable making mistakes as they write, as they know that there will be an additional step in the process for them to correct those mistakes.

A Structured Visual Framework

The WritingKey™ program provides students with a structured, visual framework that breaks the writing process down into smaller, more manageable steps to help students organize their thoughts and maintain focus throughout the process. There are clear visual cues throughout, guiding them through each stage of the process, from brainstorming and organizing, to writing and editing.

How WritingKey™ Helps Students with Dyslexia

• Simplifies the Writing Process
  The program breaks writing down into smaller steps (brainstorming, organizing, drafting, editing), reducing overwhelm and increasing clarity.
• Visual Cues for Grammar and Punctuation
  Using color-coded or symbol-based reminders, WritingKey™ reduces the reliance on a student’s internal sense of grammar, which can be challenging for those with dyslexia.
• Builds Confidence and Reduces Anxiety
  By separating writing and editing into distinct stages, students can freely get ideas on the page without worrying about errors in real time.
• Structured Approach to Paragraph and Essay Writing
  The program employs clear strategies for crafting topic sentences, introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions, alleviating confusion about structure.
• Adaptable for In-Class and Timed Writing
  Offers tips for working under time constraints, ensuring students can apply the method for tests and other time-sensitive assignments.
• Reinforces Organization and Cohesion
  Tools for brainstorming and transition words help students organize their thoughts, producing coherent, well-structured writing.
• Visual Supports for Advanced Editing
  Step-by-step proofreading techniques systematically guide students through grammar checks and punctuation corrections.