Difficulties with Working Memory Can Account for Many of the Difficulties That Dyslexic Individuals Face

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‘DIFFICULTIES WITH WORKING MEMORY CAN ACCOUNT FOR MANY OF THE DIFFICULTIES THAT DYSLEXIC INDIVIDUALS FACE’. Critically evaluate the validity of this statement, with reference to relevant research evidence. 1 INTRODUCTION The relationship between weak memory difficulties and dyslexia has been researched for nearly three decades, and with it the question of whether working memory difficulties are the causes of many dyslexia difficulties or the effect of them. In order to look at the validity of the statement I will give some definitions of dyslexia and descriptions of the difficulties that dyslexic individuals face. I will then describe a model which gives us a way of conceptionalising working memory, followed by a description of some difficulties of working memory. I will describe studies that link difficulties with working memory to difficulties for dyslexic individuals, and discuss them. 2 DYSLEXIA McLoughlin et al. (2002) proposed a definition based on working memory theory – “Developmental dyslexia is a genetically inherited and neurologically determined inefficiency in working memory, the information processing system fundamental to learning and performance in conventional educational and work settings. It has a particular impact on verbal and written communication as well as on organisation, planning and adaptation to change.” (p.19). Dyslexia Action’s definition of dyslexia begins: “Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that mainly affects reading and spelling. Dyslexia is characterised by difficulties in processing word-sounds and by weaknesses in short-term verbal memory; its effects may be seen in spoken language as well as written language.” 3 THE DIFFICULTIES THAT DYSLEXIC INDIVIDUALS FACE As well as delayed and poor reading and spelling, difficulties dyslexics may have are described by *Michael Thomson (2001).

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