Speech perception in preschoolers at family risk for dyslexia: relations with low-level auditory processing and phonological ability.
We tested categorical perception and speech-in-noise perception in a group of five-year-old preschool children genetically at risk for dyslexia, compared to a group of well-matched control children and a group of adults. Both groups of children differed significantly from the adults on all speech measures. Comparing both child groups, the risk group presented a slight but significant deficit in speech-in-noise perception, particularly in the most difficult listening condition. For categorical perception a marginally significant deficit was observed on the discrimination task but not on the identification task. Speech parameters were significantly related to phonological awareness and low-level auditory measures. Results are discussed within the framework of a causal model where low-level auditory problems are hypothesized to result in subtle speech perception problems that might interfere with the development of phonology and reading and spelling ability.
Boets
Bart
B
Centre for Disability, Special Needs Education and Child Care, University of Leuven, Vesaliusstraat 2, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. bart.boets@ped.kuleuven.be
Ghesquière
Pol
P
van Wieringen
Astrid
A
Wouters
Jan
J
D000328:Adult; D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D001308:Auditory Perceptual Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*