Reading Disabilities in Adolescents and Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith Saletta

Purpose Reading skills continue to develop into adolescence and adulthood. Difficulties in reading have lifelong repercussions. Many speech-language pathologists who work with older individuals in the school setting face significant issues, including those mandated by recent changes in legislation. Theoretical topics related to reading development and disorders include the variety of orthographic systems across languages and the ways in which adults who are literate in an alphabetic orthographic system experience changes to their spoken and written language processing. In addition, older readers with intellectual or developmental disabilities may benefit from the use of leveled books and the inclusion of illustrations or drawings along with text. Method I completed a focused literature review regarding typical reading skills, dyslexia in adolescence and adulthood, recent changes in legislation, orthography, and the use of leveled books for adolescents and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Conclusions Further study of reading in older individuals may lead to important theoretical and clinical applications. Speech-language pathologists should keep in mind the various components of reading (such as decoding and comprehension), how these factors relate to oral language, and how they may be addressed in therapy.

1996 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Sparks ◽  
Leonore Ganschow ◽  
Alex Thomas

This study examined the relation of the WISC–R Verbal IQ with measures of oral and written language among 190 students referred to a private educational clinic over a 5-yr. period. Correlations of Verbal IQ with scores on measures of oral language, written language, receptive language, reading comprehension, and basic reading skills were calculated for the total sample and by Grades 1–3, 4–7, and 8–11. Standard regression coefficients were used to estimate the proportion of variance explained by these five measures. Significant correlations were found for Verbal IQ with the measures, ranging from .36 (Basic Reading Skills) to .69 (Receptive Vocabulary). Multiple regression indicated that 59% of the variance was explained by the five measures and that three—Oral Language, Receptive Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension—contributed significantly to Verbal IQ. Correlations across grades showed inconsistent differences by grade for Verbal IQ with language variables. Implications for speech-language referral practices are discussed.


1990 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Chaney

Whole language is an approach to teaching written language that focuses on the oral language experiences of the child, and the communication of meaning through print, rather than emphasizing the teaching of reading skills such as word recognition, sound symbol associations, or sound blending. This paper provides a critical analysis of the whole language approach, describing both its strengths and weaknesses. An integrated instructional approach which balances meaning and exposure to literature with skills instruction and practice is recommended.


1980 ◽  
Vol 89 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 179-181
Author(s):  
Pamela E. Hook

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the complexity of the relationship between oral language development and the acquisition of reading skills. As background information, a hierarchy of language development including factors related to both oral and written language is discussed. Case studies of two learning-disabled males are presented to illustrate the differences in reading skills between two children with similar language comprehension abilities. Discussion of the underlying processing deficits responsible for these differences is also included.


2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 434-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Berninger ◽  
Robert Abbott ◽  
Clayton R. Cook ◽  
William Nagy

Relationships between attention/executive functions and language learning were investigated in students in Grades 4 to 9 ( N = 88) with and without specific learning disabilities (SLDs) in multiword syntax in oral and written language (OWL LD), word reading and spelling (dyslexia), and subword letter writing (dysgraphia). Prior attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis was correlated only with impaired handwriting. Parental ratings of inattention, but not hyperactivity, correlated with measures of written language but not oral language. Sustaining switching attention correlated with writing the alphabet from memory in manuscript or by keyboard and fast copying of a sentence with all the letters of the alphabet. Multiple regressions based on a principal component for composites of multiple levels of language (subword, word, and syntax/text) showed that measures of attention and executive function involving language processing rather than ratings of attention and executive function not specifically related to language accounted for more variance and identified more unique predictors in the composite outcomes for oral language, reading, and writing systems. Inhibition related to focused attention uniquely predicted outcomes for the oral language system. Findings are discussed in reference to implications for assessing and teaching students who are still learning to pay attention to heard and written language and self-regulate their language learning during middle childhood and adolescence.


1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Wood ◽  
Joan L. Rankin ◽  
David R. Beukelman

Word prompt programs are computer software programs or program features that are used in addition to basic word processing. These programs provide word lists from which a user selects a desired word and inserts it into a line of text. This software is used to support individuals with severe speech, physical, and learning disabilities. This tutorial describes the features of a variety of word prompt programs and reviews the current literature on the use of these programs by people with oral and written language needs. In addition, a matrix that identifies the features contained in eight sample word prompt programs is provided. The descriptions of features and the matrix are designed to assist speech-language pathologists and teachers in evaluating and selecting word prompt programs to support their clients' oral and written communication.


2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Haarbauer-Krupa

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this article is to inform speech-language pathologists in the schools about issues related to the care of children with traumatic brain injury.Method: Literature review of characteristics, outcomes and issues related to the needs serving children.Results: Due to acquired changes in cognition, children with traumatic brain injury have unique needs in a school setting.Conclusions: Speech-Language Pathologists in the school can take a leadership role with taking care of children after a traumatic brain injury and coordination of medical and educational information.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18
Author(s):  
Tsvetanka Tsenova

This article focuses on the relationship between literacy methods applied at school and the emergence of serious difficulties in mastering reading and writing skills that shape the developmental dyslexia. The problem was analyzed theoretically and subjected to empirical verification. Experimental work was presented which aims to study the phonological and global reading skills of 4- th grade students with and without dyslexia. Better global reading skills have been demonstrated in all tested children, and this is much more pronounced in those with dyslexia than their peers without disorders. Hence, the need to develop a special, corrective methodology for literacy of students with developmental dyslexia consistent with their psychopathological characteristics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 508-508
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Kahana ◽  
Lawrence Force ◽  
Roger Monthie

Abstract Parents who care for their children (young and adult) with developmental disabilities face many stressors and challenges. This paper reports on an intervention using mindfulness and cognitive reframing to improve psychological well-being of care-givers. We report on results based on 92 care-givers who participated in the program. An innovative component was utilizing parent care-givers along with trained peer facilitators. The program was conducted over six weeks, with three in person sessions, and three at home web-based sessions. The content emphasized mindfulness practice (meditation) along with cognitive reframing (aimed at boosting optimism) to address the stress family-caregivers experience in managing worry and the perceived lack of control that accompanies caring for children (young and adult) with developmental disabilities. Post-test data revealed increased awareness of stress coupled with greater competence in stress management. Given the life-long demands for care-giving of parents to the developmentally disabled, normative stressors of aging interact with stressors posed by care-giving demands. Implications for improving well-being of older parental care-givers will be discussed around the topics of (1) optimism and hope; (2) support of healthy behaviors; and (3) development of a mindset of gratitude.


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