Effects of predictability on word recognition and reading fluency during reading development in children with dyslexia and attentional problems (WP2)

ESR 15: Najla Azaiez

Supervisors:

Prof. Dr. Paavo Leppänen (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)
Dr. Jarmo Hämäläinen (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)

The aims of Najla Azaiez project are:

• to examine the sub-processes related to reading fluency, integration of semantic information and the role of attention in these processes during early stage word recognition and early stage of  fluent reading
• to understand how these processes are deficient in dyslexic readers and how ADHD adds to this
• to investigate the relationship of these processes to known risk factors of dyslexia, audiovisual processing, rapid naming, executive control and working memory

The results are expected to reveal microlevel developmental differences between typical readers, dyslexic children and those with ADHD. The results will reveal what role attention, working memory, and suppressing distracting information play in predictability effects on reading fluency. This information is important for developmental theories of reading fluency and processes related to comborbidity, which can also be used in developing effective and focused diagnostic and intervention tools.