Memory Abilities of Reading-Disabled Children with VIQ-PIQ Differences

Abstract

Associations between VIQ and verbal memory and between PIQ and nonverbal memory have been found in neurologically impaired adults. This study examined the assumption that similar associations will hold for children with reading disabilities (RD) who demonstrate lower VIQ relative to PIQ and the converse. The Verbal and Nonverbal Selective Reminding Tests were administered to children aged 10 to 12 years. Thirteen RD children with VIQ < PIQ 14 RD children with PIQ < VIQ and 14 controls served as subjects. Contrary to predictions, memory functions were not found to parallel intellectual functions. The children with lower PIQ displayed poorer storage and retrieval of verbal information along with poorer retrieval of nonverbal information. These results suggest that children with reading disabilities who obtain relatively lower PIQ might be expected to experience more memory problems than children with lower VIQ regardless of modality of input.