Rhythmic processing in children with developmental dyslexia: auditory and motor rhythms link to reading and spelling.
Potential links between the language and motor systems in the brain have long attracted the interest of developmental psychologists. In this paper, we investigate a link often observed (e.g., [Wolff, P.H., 2002. Timing precision and rhythm in developmental dyslexia. Reading and Writing, 15 (1), 179-206.] between motor tapping and written language skills. We measure rhythmic finger tapping (paced by a metronome beat versus unpaced) and motor dexterity, phonological and auditory processing in 10-year old children, some of whom had a diagnosis of developmental dyslexia. We report links between paced motor tapping, auditory rhythmic processing and written language development. Motor dexterity does not explain these relationships. In regression analyses, paced finger tapping explained unique variance in reading and spelling. An interpretation based on the importance of rhythmic timing for both motor skills and language development is proposed.
Thomson
Jennifer M
JM
Centre for Neuroscience in Education, University of Cambridge, 184 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2PQ, UK. thomsoje@gse.harvard.edu
Goswami
Usha
U
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001299:Audiometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D010507:Periodicity; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D011932:Reading; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis