My SLCN CIC in partnership with The Reading Hut Ltd
The Writing Framework
MyWordz® for Early Mark Makers and Spiky Writers
Supporting the Journey from First Marks to Independent, Joyful and Purposeful Writing
This framework is designed to build on early mark making and support spiky writers. These are children in Key Stage 1 whose learning profiles may not follow a typical path. Some may have strong verbal ideas but find spelling or handwriting more effortful. Others may not yet show any difficulty but could face barriers later if early writing instruction does not account for diverse developmental needs. This approach complements the new DfE Writing Framework by providing practical support for transcription, including both spelling and handwriting, alongside early composition. It meets children where they are and makes the code visible so no learner is left guessing. It is particularly supportive for neurodivergent children, including those who are dyslexic, autistic, non-speaking, or developing along a different path.
Emma Hartnell-Baker MEd SEN
Neurodivergent Reading Whisperer®
Developer of MyWordz® | Innovate UK funded
One goal: independent, confident self-expression. Each child’s journey may look different.
Start with the 10 Day Phonemic Awareness Mastery 'Speech Sound Play' Plan in Reception. Then move to your systematic phonics programme of choice, but use Discovery Phonics for Spelling to explore the whole code throughout the day
with MyWordz®, the world's first Phonics Spell Checker!
The Writing Framework for the Neurodiverse Reception Classroom will be launched here soon!
MyWordz® technology lets children type words they haven't stored in their Brain Word Bank and so can’t (yet) retrieve it with confidence, without help. They can spell the word by using the Phonemies keyboard for sounds, and then check the mapped word, with graphemes and phonemes shown. They don't need to memorise words, guess at the GPCs, or ask anyone for help! This is a world first. The ultimate phonics spell checker! Alternatively, they can say the word into the microphone if they do not yet have the phonemic awareness or phonological working memory required to type in speech sound (using Phonemies) which may indicate a dyslexia risk.
MyWordz® as the world's first Phonics Spell Check is empowering: children are are no longer restricted to writing only the words they can decode through phonics lessons and writing sentences at their phonics 'Code Level'. Head over to SpeechSoundPlay.com to see what that's all about! We are removing barriers to word level reading and supporting teachers to become word whisperers.
This fabulous child is autistic and has what is known as a spiky profile. He had spent over two years trying to understand phonics with Read Write Inc and couldn't read 'Pin it on'. We had to start fresh with him, as he experienced significant anxiety when shown graphemes and asked to read isolated words or do any type of synthetic phonics type activities. It made no sense to his brain, and he felt stupid trying because he couldn’t do it. You can see how I explained to his teacher what we were going to do differently, below. We shifted to what he understood, and built on that!
The MyWordz® tech allows him to check the sound value (he had poor phonemic awareness and could not segment or blend phonemes) by typing the Phonemies, and we did a lot of work helping him connect those sounds. This Speech Sound Mapping work was funded through Section F of his EHC plan.
The key difference was that we put everything into meaningful context from the beginning. We mapped books for him. He loves The Village With Three Corners characters and stories, although he is not happy with Percy Green when he does naughty things. Alf has a strong moral compass! He had not demonstrated positive reading behaviour before, but now he is discussing, inferring, expressing opinions, and thinking about what might happen next.
He worked through the 36 pre-readers and is enjoying the intro books. Main readers next!
Join the First Adopters Network
We’re inviting a small group of KS1 teachers, SENCOs, and early years specialists to help shape the future of inclusive writing instruction, as a new generation of Word Whisperers.
If you support children with spiky learning profiles, or want to make the new DfE Writing Framework work for every child, we want to hear from you.
✅ Be the first to adapt the Writing Framework for Spiky Writers
✅ Access exclusive pilot content and tech tools
✅ Share feedback that shapes what we build, as Word Whisperers!
✅ Get credited (if you wish) as a First Adopter or Partner School
👉 Sign up now to join the Spiky Writers First Adopter list.
Live overseas? You are welcome too. Let's start a global movement to include all learners.
My SLCN CIC is led by Directors Emma Hartnell-Baker and Libby Charlton, who bring combined expertise in early literacy, inclusion, and neurodiversity-informed education.