http://www.mindjolt.com/word-drop.html – Click letters that are next to each other to start forming your word. Click the final letter twice to submit the word. If you get stuck, click the shuffle button. 15-second ad before each game.

http://www.mindjolt.com/games/word-slider - This is a word search puzzle that lets you slide around the letters within the puzzle. How many words can you assemble? Love it!

http://www.mindjolt.com/word-dimensions.html – A Rubik’s cube has letters on it, and you can form words by clicking adjacent letters, even going onto another side. Made words end up on a list to the right of the cube. 3-D Fun!

http://www.mindjolt.com/grammar-bee.html – The part of speech your bee is to find is at the top. If it says “Verbs”, use your arrow keys to move your bee to form a rectangle around verbs. A semi-intelligent bug chases you. Music is infectious and it’s fun to avoid the nasty bug!

http://thegamerstop.com/44585-Word-Whomp.html - Whomp the gophers to select the letters for the word you want to spell and then enter it. Whomp out as many words as you can before the timer runs out.

I’d first look at working memory–can he juggle all of the skills necessary to write, and do them simultaneously, or does he “forget” one or more of those skills?

If it’s not working memory, I’d look second at  ADHD, inattentive type. Can he initiate, sustain, inhibit, and shift his attention at the right times?

Finally, I’d look at emotional aspects. Is anxiety talk shouting over the youngster’s strong verbal strategic talk? Is he preoccupied for emotional reasons? Is he stubborn? Bored? Too worried about what others might think? Doesn’t see how sustained effort can bring results and feelings of competence? Is it too much screen time so real life has lost its excitement?

Link: http://members.learningplanet.com/act/mc/free.asp