Predicting Dyslexia Based on Pre-reading Auditory and Speech Perception Skills

Law, J. , Ghesquière, P. and Wouters, J. (2016) Predicting Dyslexia Based on Pre-reading Auditory and Speech Perception Skills. Twenty-Third Annual Meeting Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR), Porto, Portugal, 13-16 Jul 2016.

Abstract

Purpose: This longitudinal study examines measures of temporal auditory processing in pre-reading children with a family risk of dyslexia. Specifically, it attempts to ascertain whether pre-reading auditory processing, speech perception, and phonological awareness (PA) reliably predict later literacy achievement. Additionally, this study retrospectively examines the presence of pre-reading auditory processing, speech perception, and PA impairments in children later found to be literacy impaired. Method: Forty-four pre-reading children with and without a family risk of dyslexia were assessed at three time points (kindergarten, first, and second grade). Auditory processing measures of rise time (RT) discrimination and frequency modulation (FM) along with speech perception, PA, and various literacy tasks were assessed. Results: Kindergarten RT uniquely contributed to growth in literacy in grades one and two, even after controlling for letter knowledge and PA. Highly significant concurrent and predictive correlations were observed with kindergarten RT significantly predicting first grade PA. Retrospective analysis demonstrated atypical performance in RT and PA at all three time points in children who later developed literacy impairments. Conclusions: Although significant, kindergarten auditory processing contributions to later literacy growth lack the power to be considered as a single-cause predictor; thus results support temporal processing deficits’ contribution within a multiple deficit model of dyslexia.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Keywords: Rise-time discrimination, dyslexia, longitudinal studies, child development, frequency modulation.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Law, Dr Jeremy
• Authors: Law, J., Ghesquière, P., and Wouters, J.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the Authors