Ricketts/ 1 Running head: READING COMPREHENSION IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS OF LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION: A REVIEW Reading Comprehension in Developmental Disorders of Language and Communication: A Review

In this review, the Simple View of Reading is used as a framework for considering reading comprehension in children and adolescents with specific language impairment (SLI), Down syndrome (DS) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Deficits in reading comprehension have been reported in each group and reading comprehension is typically more impaired than word recognition. However, there is also evidence that some children and adolescents with DS, ASD and a history of SLI develop age appropriate or above reading comprehension and word recognition skills. This review of the literature indicates that factors including word recognition, oral language, nonverbal ability and working memory may explain reading comprehension difficulties in SLI, DS and ASD. In addition, it highlights methodological issues, implications of poor reading comprehension and fruitful areas for future research.