Phonological dyslexia and dysgraphia—a developmental analysis

Abstract

The present paper presents data from seven developmental dyslexics who exhibit the profile of abilities which can be described as “phonological” dyslexia. Three of the cases, all children, were of low reading age; four cases, one of which was an adult, had reading ages above ten years. Tests of reading, spelling and auditory processing revealed a range of phonological deficits amongst the dyslexics when they were compared with normal readers matched for RA. However, there were individual differences, and some cases were more prototypical than others.

Variability within the dyslexic sample highlights difficulties for their classification as phonological dyslexics. It is argued that a more useful approach is to consider their difficulties within a developmental framework in which phonological deficits hinder and may alter the course of literacy development.