Mirror writing: causes and solutions

The so-called mirror or specular writing refers to the one that performed by a person (particularly children) when they write characters (letters or numbers) inverted, as if they were reflected in a mirror. So, when you want to write a “d”, you write a “b”.

During years of research, the hypothesis that this difficulty was present only in left-handed children had been accepted as valid. However, today we know that The reasons for mirror writing are cognitive and behavioral.

Cognitive Causes of Mirror Writing

Fischer and Koch claim that in The origin of this difficulty can be found in the so-called symmetrization or mirror generalization. This process is responsible for people being able to recognize an object regardless of its orientation.

This symmetrization It helps us identify an object that is facing left just as quickly as if it were facing right. This is really useful for learning to distinguish faces regardless of which side they are looking at us from.

However, according to these authors, it has also been discovered that when recording images, the brain eliminates information about the orientation (left or right) of those images. That makes the little ones learn through memory the shape of letters and numbers, but not their orientation.

Behavioral Causes of Mirror Writing

Another cause that can be attributed to mirror writing is more behavioral and is related to the culture in which children develop linguistically. As we have already explained, children learn the shape of the characters by heart, but not their orientation. However, when writing them, they must be given guidance.

In countries where languages ​​are written from left to right, children often point to the right. This causes the characters that invert to be those facing left (J, 7, 9…).

Thus, current research allows us to know that when Children who tend to invert numbers and letters and look to the left (1, 3, J, Z…), the probability of doing so is reduced. On the other hand, in countries whose language is written from right to left, the opposite occurs. Children tend to invert right-facing characters (C, D, 6…).

Other causes

Beyond these causes that can be found at the origin of this difficulty, there are others that can explain mirror writing. Between them, problems with memory (consolidation and retrieval of information), perception, attention, visual or laterality acquisition. Likewise, it is considered that it could be a sign of a writing or language problem.

However, it must be taken into account that mirror writing does not occur in all children nor does it do so systematically. It can be another process in learning reading and writing and taken as such. With a little parental support, it can be solved. However, if the problem persists, it is advisable to see a professional so that neurological causes can be ruled out.

Solutions for mirror writing

Mirror writing can be horizontal (characters rotated about their horizontal axis) or vertical (characters rotated about their vertical axis). Regardless of the type of rotation, these activities can help address the problem. At first, it is necessary that the child develop your laterality, visual-motor coordination and your spatio-temporal organization. For example, throwing balls with both hands, playing “English hide-and-seek”, imitating movements of animals or objects, making turns, loops, shapes with the body…

The multisensory approach is one of the most complete in approaching mirror writing. It allows the child to integrate the spelling, the shape of each character, as well as its orientation through the use of their multiple senses.

To do this, we could write a letter or number on the ground with large chalk. Ask him to track it with his eyes first. Then, have him imitate it with his hand. And then, let him walk through the lyrics. Stipping and coloring hollow characters can also be helpful. And of course, supervise and model, with patience. Likewise, provide the child with visual aids and mnemo-perceptive tricks to make the task easier (“to do the one, first you have to put the pencil a little to the left and go up”).

If the mirror writing goes on for too long or you think there may be an underlying cause, do not hesitate to go to a specialist. He will be able to make a rigorous evaluation of the case and plan a successful intervention that will end the problem.

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