Phonological theory of dyslexia

Question 1

what is the phonological theory?

Answer 1

those with dyslexia have difficulties associating letters to correct speech sounds

specific deficit in the representation and retrieval of speech sounds

Question 2

What is phonological processing?

Answer 2

breading down a word into its basic sounds

involves detecting and discriminating differences in phonemes

problems in sound segmentation and words blending which are both critical for reading development

Question 3

Lyytinen et al (2001)

Answer 3

longitudinal study
investigated discrimination of sounds in infants
track women who were pregnant with a family history of dyslexia
after birth babies participated in sound discrimination task - measured through sucking on dummy and eye movement
at 6 months some could discriminate sounds faster
monitored every six months
those that couldn’t discriminate sounds were mostly diagnosed

Question 4

Short-term memory in dyslexia

Answer 4

very common
use verbal memory to blend sounds when reading
problems with ST verbal memory lead to difficulties in LT verbal memory

Question 5

Strengths of phonological theory

Answer 5

is crucial for development of accurate and fluent reading

phonological awareness can predict future reading ability

intervention studies using phonological awareness show improvements on word identification, spelling and general reading ability

Question 6

Weaknesses of the phonological theory

Answer 6

single phonological deficit largely incapable of exploring the entire phenotype of dyslexia

those with dyslexia don’t always show a phonological deficit 80% do 30% don’t