title: Numerical magnitude processing deficits in children with mathematical difficulties are independent of intelligence.
abstract: Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is thought to arise from difficulties in the ability to process numerical magnitudes. Most research relied on IQ-discrepancy based definitions of DD and only included individuals with normal IQ, yet little is known about the role of intelligence in the association between numerical magnitude processing and mathematical difficulties (MD). The present study examined numerical magnitude processing in matched groups of 7- to 8-year-olds (n=42) who had either discrepant MD (poor math scores, average IQ), nondiscrepant MD (poor math scores, below-average IQ) or no MD. Both groups of children with MD showed similar impairments in numerical magnitudes processing compared to controls, suggesting that the association between numerical magnitude processing deficits and MD is independent of intelligence.
authors.affiliation: Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Carmen.Brankaer@ppw.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brankaer
authors.affiliation: Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghesquière
authors.affiliation: Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Bert.DeSmedt@ppw.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Smedt
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D060705:Dyscalculia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology*; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011932:Reading
keywords: Intelligence; Mathematical difficulties; Numerical magnitude processing