Satz , Paul ; And Others An Evaluation of a Theory of Specific Developmental

Satz, Paul; And Others An Evaluation of a Theory of Specific Developmental Dyslexia. Florida Univ., Gainesville. 7U 21p. EDRS Price NF-$0. o` HC-$3.29 *Dyslexia, *Etiology, *Exceptional Child Research, *Learning Disabilities, *Maturation, Reading Difficulty, Theories Hypotheses accounting for the pattern of deficits in specilic developmental dyslexia were examined. The theory postulates that the disorder reflects a lag in maturation of the central nervous system, particularly the left cerebral hemisphere, The hypotheses in question predicted that skills developing ontogenetically earlier (visual-motor and auditory-visual integration) will be more delayed in younger dyslexic children (ages 7-8 years), and that skills developing later (language and formal operations) will be more delayed in older dyslexic children (ages 11-12 years). Subjects were 20 disabled male readers and 20 control males, all of average or above average intelligence. Each group was subdivided by age: younger (ages 7-8) and older (ages 11-12). Three tests classified as nonlanguage or perceptual and three classified as language tests were administered. The nonlanguage tests were postulated to represent skills developing ontogenetically earlier. The nonlanguage tests partially discriminated between younger dyslexics and controls, while none of the nonlanguage tasks discriminated between the older groups. By contrast, the language tasks revealed significant difterences between older dy.;lexics and controls, while only one language measure discriminated between the younger groups, thus substantially supporting the hypotheses under evaluation. (KW) AN EVALUATION OF A THEORY OF SPECIFIC DEN3LOPHENTAL DYSLEXIA Psul Satz, Donald Rardin and John Ross Neuro?sychology Laboratory and Department of Pediatrics University of Florida DIPARTIA111/ 0! 'OWN, 10VC ANON 1%40114 Of Flit Of IMP:AMA DOCUlothl MAS 1(10 0111,1401lks CUM, 04 Plan/001004114F PINSON C 094GA.MiZATKIN 001.G0MuvihG IT 1J0 .1 Cr VFW ON 0100015 SIAIIO 00 Im 01 141M SAN REPPESIPrr OfriCt.L OFFICIO, EDU CA-90N MST 0I P0c.C.v