Browsing by Subject "Learning disability"
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Item Dichotomizing spelling errors to examine language and executive function abilities in children at risk of reading failure(2011-08) Kayser, Kimberly Anne; Nussbaum, Nancy; Carlson, Cindy I., 1949-; Allen, Greg; Beretvas, Tasha; Lasater, LisaSubstantial evidence emphasizing the importance of linguistic systems in reading acquisition, as well as emerging literature identifying the contribution of executive function to linguistic-based difficulties, underscores the importance of clarifying the neurocognitive mechanisms affecting reading performance. Research demonstrating the interrelationship between reading and spelling, coupled with neurocognitive theories of spelling, suggests that analysis of children’s spelling attempts may capture more subtle differences in their understanding of how to decode text. This study aimed to determine the utility of applying a spelling error analysis system as a method for differentiating between reading difficulties resulting from executive dysfunction or language deficits in a sample of children at risk for reading failure. The present study examined the relationship between executive function, language, and spelling achievement in a sample of 82 children aged 6-15 years identified as having a reading deficit and/or diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated language-based skills, particularly word reading, and age significantly predicted the phonemic equivalency of misspellings. Tasks of executive functioning were not found to significantly contribute to performance on phonological spelling; however, analysis of group differences suggest that ADHD and Reading Deficit groups demonstrated unique cognitive profiles, including distinct performances on executive functioning tasks. Exploratory analyses also revealed that ADHD and Reading Deficit groups differed significantly in phonological spelling performance. Results from the current study provide evidence for the presence of two distinct underlying cognitive processes affecting spelling and, in effect, reading. Current findings have implications for the need to further examine characteristic deficits in language and executive functioning affecting children at risk for reading failure. Findings also provide support for the validity of further investigating the potential to infer differential diagnostic categories using a phonological spelling analysis. The use of an analysis of spelling errors as a diagnostic data source holds promise for a better understanding of reading failure and, ultimately, may contribute to more effective intervention practices.Item Examining student experience, perceptions, and quality of reading instruction for secondary students with significant reading disabilities : a case study(2016-05) Walker, Melodee Anne; Vaughn, Sharon, 1952-; Barnes, Marcia; Powell, Sarah; Reddick, Richard; Swanson, ElizabethObservation studies afford an opportunity to examine the extent to which prevailing practices in reading instruction for older students with reading difficulties and disabilities align with research-based recommendations from practice guides (e.g., Kamil et al., 2008), reports (e.g., Carnegie Council on Advancing Adolescent Literacy, 2010), and syntheses of research on interventions for older struggling readers, including students with learning disabilities (e.g., Edmonds et al., 2009; Faggella-Luby & Deshler, 2008; Scammacca, Roberts, Vaughn, & Stuebing, 2013; Swanson & Hoskyn, 1998). However, a recent systematic review of the literature from 2005 to 2014 revealed only four observation studies of reading instruction for students with learning disabilities (Walker & Stevens, 2016). Only one of the identified studies examined reading instruction for secondary students. This study had two central purposes: (1) observe and describe reading instruction for 6th grade students identified with significant reading disabilities, and (2) describe student perceptions and motivations related to reading and reading instruction. Eight teacher and ten student participants were observed across two school sites in English language arts (ELA), reading intervention, and social studies classes. Observational data were collected related to instructional events in reading, opportunities for text reading, instructional groupings, global instructional quality, student engagement, and classroom management. Interview and self-report data were collected from students with regard to reading perceptions and motivation. Teacher self-report data with regard to reading instruction facilitated the interpretation of the findings. Results indicated that student participants received instruction that was largely undifferentiated from their typically performing peers, with the exception of explicit, systematic instruction in word reading instruction and fluency practice. Connected text reading was predominantly in the form of grade-level trade books or standardized reading passages. Whole class instruction was the most prevalent grouping structure across class sizes ranging from 5 to 33. Vocabulary instruction was limited to 10% of all reading instruction, whereas comprehension instruction was 39% of all reading instruction. Comprehension instruction was primarily reading comprehension monitoring. Student self-report responses on a motivational survey were in strongest agreement on items related to students indicating motivation to read because of its utility, social responsibility, and social approval goals.Item The impact of a reading intervention on reading and behavioral outcomes for fourth and fifth grade students with reading difficulties(2016-05) Roberts, Garrett James; Vaughn, Sharon, 1952-; Roberts, Greg; Barnes, Marcia; Powell, Sarah; Toste, JessicaEvidence supports a positive relationship between problem behaviors and reading difficulties across Grades K-12 yet there is a lack of research investigating the role of problem behavior in the context of reading interventions. In this study, data was analyzed from a site-specific subset of students from a multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) implementing a multi-component reading intervention for struggling readers in Grades 4 – 5. Data were analyzed to answer the following research questions: (1) What is the impact of multi-component reading intervention for 4th and 5th grade students who are struggling readers on both reading and problem behavior outcomes? and (2) Does problem behavior moderate the effect of a multi-component reading intervention for 4th and 5th grade students who are struggling readers? Students (n = 108) were randomly assigned to a one-year multi-component comprehension reading intervention or a school determined business as usual (BAU) comparison condition after meeting the criterion for identification as a struggling reader by scoring at or below a 90 standard score on the Test of Silent Reading Efficiency and Comprehension (Wagner, Torgesen, Rashotte, & Pearson, 2010) screener assessment. To answer the research questions, data (reading and behavior outcomes) were analyzed using an analysis of covariance to: 1) test the impact of the reading intervention on both reading and behavior outcomes; and 2) test for a significant interaction between measures of problem behavior and condition (i.e., treatment or comparison) on reading outcomes (e.g., Gates MacGinitie Reading Test; MacGainitie, 2000). Models controlled for student-level differences (e.g., reading pretest scores). Type I error associated with multiple comparisons was controlled for using the Benjamani-Hochberg correction to adjust for false discovery rates. Results suggested that the impact of treatment resulted in significant posttest group differences on word reading fluency (p < .05). Additionally, externalizing behavior moderated the reading outcomes on the Gates MacGinitie Reading Test for students with higher levels of externalizing behavior. Overall this research added to the research field by suggesting that problem behavior impacts reading outcomes. Future research is warranted to improve reading interventions that target students with problem behaviors.Item The mediating effects of rapid automatized naming on children's inattention symptoms and word-reading ability(2011-05) Smith, Stephen William, 1981-; Keith, Timothy, 1952-; Carlson, Cindy; Nussbaum, Nancy; Sander, Janay; Tucker, DavidAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Reading Disability (RD) are among the most common childhood disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) and co-occur significantly more frequently than expected by chance (Dykman & Ackerman, 1991; Semrud-Clikeman et al., 1992). Similar processing deficits are seen in children with ADHD and children with RD, one of which is rapid automatized naming (RAN) (Denckla & Cutting, 1999). These continuous performance tasks require quick naming of visually represented stimuli. Uncertainty about what RAN actually measures, however, makes drawing conclusions about relations to ADHD and RD difficult (Tannock, 1998). By better understanding the cognitive processes involved in RAN, and how those processes relate to ADHD and RD symptoms, the relations among RAN, ADHD, and RD might be better understood. The current study sought to identify variables that would help explain ADHD and RD children’s difficulty with RAN. Five fundamental, neurocognitive skills were hypothesized to be related to RAN performance, ADHD, and reading disability. The effect of children’s phonological awareness, processing speed, working memory, fine-motor speed, and reaction time on their RAN performances was measured. The extent to which these same variables were related to inattention symptoms severity and word-reading ability was also assessed. Finally, the extent to which RAN mediated the effects of neurocognitive skills on inattention symptoms and word-reading ability was measured. By simultaneously measuring the hypothesized relations among variables, the processing deficits responsible for ADHD and RD children’s problems on RAN may be revealed. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze assessment data (i.e., neurocognitive, RAN, and word-reading performance scores; parent-report of inattention symptoms) of 183 children who received neuropsychological evaluations. Results indicated the following significant direct effects: phonological awareness and working memory on word-reading ability, processing speed and working memory on RAN, and RAN on word-reading ability. A possible significant mediation effect of processing speed on word-reading ability through RAN was also shown. Significant effects of study variables on inattention symptoms were not shown, which limited conclusions about RAN’s relation to ADHD. Results are of practical importance in RD assessment because the relation between RAN and word-reading ability was shown to involve processes beyond phonology.Item Memory performance in young adults with language and learning disabilities(2013-05) Voss, Kellie Kathleen; Sheng, Li, Ph. D.This thesis investigated the memory skills of young adults with and without language and learning disabilities (LLD) using the Deese-Roediger-McDermott word recall paradigm (Roediger & McDermott, 1995). Three types of word lists were presented: semantic lists consisted of words that are related to a non-presented critical item (CI) (e.g., bad) in meaning (good, rotten, harmful, worse); phonological lists included words related to the CI in sound (e.g., had, lad, bat, bag); and hybrid lists included words related to the CI in both meaning and sound (e.g., good, lad, rotten, bat). Individuals with diagnoses of LLD were classified as "true LLD" or "compensated LLD" based on language test scores and a discriminating composite score, while those without LLD were considered the "typical language" (TL) group. Hypotheses were made regarding veridical recall and memory intrusions, including intrusions of the non-presented critical item (CI). For veridical recall, the compensated LLD and TL groups were expected to have higher recall accuracy than the true LLD group. As for CI intrusions, two possible outcomes were considered: the true LLD group may recall more CIs due to inability to discriminate between presented and non-presented words (Kirchner & Klatzky, 1985); or they may recall fewer CIs due to difficulties forming traces of the gist of the word list (Weekes et al., 2005). Data from 30 participants (ages 18 to 25) -- 12 true LLD, 8 compensated LLD, and 10 TL -- were included in this thesis. Results indicated that the true LLD group showed a non-significant tendency to have lower recall accuracy scores than the other two groups, and a higher number of CI intrusions. List-type also affected accuracy and CI intrusions, as semantically-related lists increased recall accuracy and hybrid semantic-phonological lists increased CI intrusions. Possible conclusions from these data are presented along with recommendations for future research.Item Statistical analysis of performance of learning disabled students(2006-12) Jain, Sonal; Matis, Timothy I.; Smith, Milton L.Learning disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are characterized to be the most common problems seen by child neurologists, neuropsychologists and developmental pediatricians, comprising a major percentage of referrals from parents and teachers. College students with learning disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity have average or above levels of intellectual functioning despite the inability to learn specific academic skills. For learners of different needs tutoring proves to be the most beneficial with the individualization it offers. Peer tutoring has proved to be such technique providing educational benefits to both the tutor and the tutee. Regression analysis proves to be an effective technique to determine the combined effects of parameters affecting the performance of college students. The study involves cognitive analysis of students' accomplishment in academics with documented learning disability and/or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder from Texas Tech University. Performance parameters are considered over four consecutive semesters concentrating on long semesters of fall and spring.Item Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Teachers' Descriptions of Methods Used to Improve the Reading Achievement of Students with Learning Disabilities(2017-03-15) Berkowitz, Sally Greenberg; Moore, George W.; Polnick, Barbara E.; Martinez-Garcia, CynthiaPurpose The purpose of this study was to explore ways in which third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers reported they successfully improved the reading achievement of students with LD as documented by an increase in test scores on standardized tests in reading. Moreover, this study is an examination of productive ways in which elementary classroom teachers reported that they increased the interest and motivation of students who have historically had difficulty in school, specifically, students who have been identified with LD. Method This qualitative study was conducted with five Grade 3, 4, and 5 general education teachers with at least three years of experience teaching students with LD in reading. The teachers were selected from schools which had attained a Reading/ELA Distinction in the Accountability Ratings for the 2013, 2014, and 2015 administrations of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). The schools also had a minimum of two self-contained special education classrooms. The semi-structured interviews were the basis of the phenomenological study of the experiences of the teachers in working with these students to be successful in reading. Findings Teachers who participated in the study shared indicators of student success. In addition to an increase in test scores, the teachers shared that increased participation in classroom discussions and the facial expressions of their students with LD were signs that the students had improved their reading performance. Other indicators were a decrease in negative behaviors and an increase in independence. Themes of success that the teachers shared focused on positive relationships and interactions with students, reliance on the support of school-based personnel, collaboration with parents, and positive strategies and incentives that the teachers used to motivate their students with LD. Students with LD are successful when they benefit from a variety of factors, including relationships with caring and interested general education teachers. General education teachers benefit from and are better able to provide support to their students by having positive relationships with other members of the school staff, including teaching assistants and teacher interventionists. Equally important are the positive relationships general education teachers have with students’ parents.