Reading difficulties in children with rolandic epilepsy (version1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding reading difficulties in children with rolandic epilepsy: the contributions of oral language, memory and executive skills
IRAS ID
114155
Contact name
Kate Cain
Contact email
Research summary
Children with rolandic epilepsy (RE) often have reading difficulties, despite generally normal intelligence. In nonclinical populations, poor readers divide into three groups: those who have difficulties with word reading (i.e. a dyslexia profile); those with good word reading but poor understanding of what they read; and those with poor word reading and poor comprehension. This project seeks to apply what is known about the causes of reading difficulties in nonclinical populations to children with RE, to inform educational interventions. In non-RE populations, poor word reading is associated with weak phonological and semantic skills, whilst poor comprehension is associated with weak semantic skills and poor memory, particularly on tasks that are under executive control such as those that tap the ability to store (remember) a piece of information whilst processing new information. For children with RE, mixed reading profiles are reported and our understanding of the source of their reading difficulties is complicated by an increased risk of speech sound disorder (SSD). Our aim is to map the reading profiles of children with RE and to determine which knowledge and resource weaknesses are associated with poor word reading and which are associated with poor comprehension, through a combination of correlational and experimental work. This research is a critical first step in detailing the types of reading difficulties experienced by children with RE and their possible source(s). Such data is essential to inform effective educational interventions.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0269
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion