@misc{cogprints2349,
title = {The relationship between motor control and phonology in dyslexic children},
author = {Franck Ramus and Elizabeth Pidgeon and Uta Frith},
year = {2002},
note = {Check the alternative location for the final pdf reprint.},
journal = {Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines},
keywords = {dyslexia, reading, phonology, cerebellum, automaticity, motor control},
url = {http://cogprints.org/2349/},
abstract = {Background: The goal of this study was to investigate the automaticity/cerebellar theory of dyslexia. We tested phonological skills and cerebellar function in a group of dyslexic 8-12 year old children and their matched controls. Tests administered included the Phonological Assessment Battery, postural stability, bead threading, finger to thumb and time estimation.
Results: Dyslexic children were found to be significantly poorer than the controls at all tasks but time estimation. About 75\% of dyslexics were more than one standard deviation below controls in phonological ability, and 50\% were similarly impaired in motor skills. However, at least part of the discrepancy in motor skills was due to dyslexic individuals who had additional disorders (ADHD and/or DCD). The absence of evidence for a time estimation deficit also casts doubt on the cerebellar origin of the motor deficiency. About half the dyslexic children didn't have any motor problem, and there was no evidence for a causal relationship between motor skills on the one hand and phonological and reading skills on the other.
Conclusion: This study provides partial support for the presence of motor problems in dyslexic children, but does not support the hypothesis that a cerebellar dysfunction is the cause of their phonological and reading impairment. }
}