Journal article
Preliteracy impairments in children with neurofibromatosis type 1
Developmental medicine and child neurology, Vol.60(7), pp.703-710
07/2018
PMID: 29667706
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Aim
This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the preliteracy abilities of young children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and to identify which of these abilities best predicted conventional literacy (spelling).
Method
Forty-two children with NF1 (23 males, 19 females; mean age [SD] 5y 6mo [6mo]) were compared with 32 unaffected children (15 males, 17 females; mean age [SD] 5y 4mo [6mo]). All children completed a comprehensive cognitive assessment including measures of phonological processing (phonological awareness, phonological memory, rapid automatic naming) and letter-sound knowledge.
Results
Children with NF1 performed significantly poorer than the comparison group across all cognitive and preliteracy domains, with specific weaknesses evident in phonological awareness (F1,68=14.13, p<0.001, partial η2=0.17), phonological memory (F1,68=13.87, p<0.001, partial η2=0.17), and letter-sound knowledge (F1,71=5.65, p=0.020, partial η2=0.07). Within the group with NF1 group, over a third of children demonstrated impairment in at least one phonological processing domain and the risk of phonological impairment was 5.60 times that of unaffected children. Children's letter-sound knowledge was the strongest predictor of conventional literacy (spelling).
Interpretation
This study establishes that preliteracy deficits are present and detectable in young children with NF1. As a result of the high incidence of preliteracy impairment, we recommend screening phonological awareness and letter-sound knowledge to identify risk of future learning disorders.
Details
- Title
- Preliteracy impairments in children with neurofibromatosis type 1
- Creators
- Shelley S Arnold - University of SydneyJonathan M Payne - University of MelbourneJennifer Lorenzo - Children's Hospital at WestmeadKathryn N North - University of MelbourneBelinda Barton - University of Sydney
- Publication Details
- Developmental medicine and child neurology, Vol.60(7), pp.703-710
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Identifiers
- 991013092669102368
- Copyright
- © 2018 Mac Keith Press.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article