Short-term memory processes and reading by deaf children

Over the last 10 years our understanding of the short-term memory (STM) codes and processes used by hearing children has increased dramatically. In contrast, relatively little is known about the development of these processes in deaf children. This paper explores the development of these processes. In particular the relationship between the use of STM codes and reading ability of deaf children will be discussed. A series of experiments are reported that test ordered recall of pictures by deaf children. Concurrent activity and recall of stimuli that are similar along different dimensions (e.g. speech, sign and visually similar) are used to tap the nature of underlying STM codes used in this task. The results show that a variety of STM codes are used in a variety of combinations. Reading ability was consistently related to overall STM performance and to some indicators of the use of a speech-based STM code. The nature of these relationships will be discussed.