Shelley S. Arnold|Jonathan M. Payne|Jennifer Lorenzo|Klaus North|Belinda Barton
Preliteracy impairments in children with neurofibromatosis type 1
Children's Hospital at Westmead|University of Sydney|Royal Children's Hospital|Murdoch Children's Research Institute|University of Melbourne|Children's Hospital at Westmead|Royal Children's Hospital|Murdoch Children's Research Institute|University of Melbourne|Children's Hospital at Westmead|University of Sydney
crosssectional study aimed examine preliteracy abilities young children neurofibromatosis type 1 nf1 identify abilities best predicted conventional literacy spellingfortytwo children nf1 23 males 19 females mean age sd 5y 6mo 6mo compared 32 unaffected children 15 males 17 females mean age sd 5y 4mo 6mo children completed comprehensive cognitive assessment including measures phonological processing phonological awareness phonological memory rapid automatic naming lettersound knowledgechildren nf1 performed significantly poorer comparison group across cognitive preliteracy domains specific weaknesses evident phonological awareness f168 1413 p0001 partial 2 017 phonological memory f168 1387 p0001 partial 2 017 lettersound knowledge f171 565 p0020 partial 2 007 within group nf1 group third children demonstrated impairment least one phonological processing domain risk phonological impairment 560 times unaffected children childrens lettersound knowledge strongest predictor conventional literacy spellingthis study establishes preliteracy deficits present detectable young children nf1 result high incidence preliteracy impairment recommend screening phonological awareness lettersound knowledge identify risk future learning disordersyoung children neurofibromatosis type 1 elevated risk preliteracy deficits affected domains phonological awareness phonological memory lettersound knowledge strongest predictor conventional literacy spelling