Biomedical subjects

V H van Daal

Publications and source records attributed to V H van Daal.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Processing units in word reading by disabled readers.

The article addresses the issue of whether disabled readers can be instructed to use within-word (multiletter) units. Several analogy methods were employed. In Experiments 1 and 2 short lists of words that differ in only one letter were repeatedly practiced. In Experiment 3 the subjects blended written and spoken words in which the place of segmentation was systematically manipulated. Subjects were tested in all experiments on the reading of practiced words, on nonpracticed words that orthographically as well as phonologically resemble the practiced words, and on nonpracticed nonsimilar words. The findings indicate that: (1) All types of practice were beneficial for the recognition of the practiced words. (2) Transfer to the reading of novel words appeared only when graphemic and orthographic aspects of words were strongly emphasized. (3) Transfer effects were based upon the improved handling of multiletter within-word units when word lists with auditory prompts were practiced, but on improved (single) letter-sound conversions when the analysis and synthesis of isolated words and word parts was trained. (4) At least in Dutch, segmentations according to the onset-rime principle were not more useful than segmenting written and spoken words at other boundaries.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1992

Computer-based reading and spelling practice for children with learning disabilities.

To examine the effects of computer-based reading and spelling practice on the development of reading and spelling skills, a pretest-training-posttest experiment was conducted in The Netherlands. Eleven girls and 17 boys with written language disorders (on the average, 9 years, 7 months old and performing 2 grades below age expectancy) practiced hard-to-read words under three conditions: reading from the computer screen, copying from the screen, and writing from memory after presentation on the screen. For all words, whole-word sound was available on call during practice. To assess learning effects, both a dictation and a read-aloud task were administered in which nonpracticed control words were also presented. During training, the computer kept record of several aspects of the pupils' learning behavior. It was found that copying words from the screen resulted in significantly fewer spelling errors on the posttest than writing words from memory, and that both forms of spelling practice led to fewer spelling errors than only reading words during practice. All three forms of practice improved to the same degree both the accuracy and fluency of reading the practiced words aloud. The way in which spelling and reading practice, in combination with speech feedback, support the development of phonological skills in children with written language disorders is highlighted in the discussion.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Automatization aspects of dyslexia: speed limitations in word identification, sensitivity to increasing task demands, and orthographic compensation.

A study is presented in which three characteristics of dyslexia were examined: (a) speed limitations in word identification, (b) sensitivity to increasing task demands, and (c) orthographic compensation. Ten students with dyslexia (10 years old) were compared to 10 chronological-age controls and 20 reading-age controls on their performance in reading. Response latencies of the students with dyslexia were slower when familiar words, letter clusters, and nonwords had to be named. A larger word-frequency effect and a larger word-length effect in the these students indicates that they have difficulty with increasing task demands. In addition, a subword-frequency effect was found to be larger in the students with dyslexia. These differences among the three groups of students are interpreted in terms of automatization. Furthermore, it is suggested that students with dyslexia may have a preference for large orthographic units, which is used as a compensatory tool in reading.

Automatism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of outpatient treatment of dyslexia.

The effects of a Dutch intervention program for dyslexia are reported. The program was individually tailored, depending on the style of reading, the phase of the learning process, and the intermediate results of the treatment. Two groups of participants were involved: (a) a group of children with pure dyslexia (n = 109) and (b) a group that had reading problems but also suffered from cognitive deficits or psychiatric symptoms (n = 29). Scores of reading single words and text at intake and after the intervention were analyzed to assess the efficacy of the intervention program. Furthermore, the effects of pre-intervention variables such as intelligence, reported speech, and language problems and of intervention variables such as the initial level of performance and the duration of the treatment were examined. Both groups benefitted from the intervention, but the children with pure dyslexia profited most. Neither of the groups could catch up the reading deficit. Intelligence and reported speech and language problems did not affect the treatment outcomes. Individual differences in treatment outcome were related to the absolute level of word reading and age at intake. In the group with comorbidity, the intervention program was more successful in relatively younger children. Within this group, the cognitive deficits and types of psychiatric problems were not related to the treatment.

Ambulatory Care↗