PhD study aims to shed light on children with dyslexia

Oct 28, 2003

Doctoral student Sue-Ellen Holmes has embarked on a study that she hopes will reveal why some children specifically suffer from dyslexia, and more generally to enlighten overall reading processes.

She is seeking children to help participate in her study that promises, at the very least, to reveal if a particular child has any reading difficulties.

Ms Holmes, from the University of Wollongong's Department of Psychology, is researching the brain mechanisms of the audio-visual processing of print in children with dyslexia.

She is seeking boys and girls in two age brackets - pre-readers starting kindergarten next year and seven to 11-year-olds.

Ms Holmes is particularly interested in children who come from families with a history of dyslexia, as well as those who do not experience difficulty reading. The study would not include children who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), epilepsy or other childhood disorders.

Participants would come for two sessions lasting about one and a half hours each. The first is a comprehensive language/cognitive assessment for which parents will receive a report. Ms Holmes said this report would be invaluable as it would indicate if a child has any reading difficulties which are then better remediated early. It will report on a child's level of cognitive function relative to his or her peers.

The second session would involve electroencephalogram (eeg) testing, which is non-invasive and tolerated well by children, and a passive computer task which teaches letter-sound combinations and will be beneficial to learning to read. Children will receive a certificate, a photo of themselves in the laboratory wearing their eeg cap, sweets of their choice and parents will be reimbursed $10 for travel expenses.

Media please note

For further information contact Sue Ellen Holmes on 4221 4164.

Participants please note

Parents wishing to have their child/children participate in the study can contact 4221 4164 or e-mail seh01@uow.edu.au for a comprehensive information pack.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128