Eye Movements in Reading Disabled and Normal Children

Abstract

The nature of eye movements was assessed when adults and both normal and reading disabled children performed a match-to-sample task. The subjects were required to choose from one of four five-letter alternatives that matched a sample. Subjects were allowed to look at the sample and alternatives as long and as often as they chose, with accuracy stressed. The pattern of eye movements was studied to discern strategy differences that develop with reading in normal and reading disabled children after the duration and frequency of eye movements were assessed. Results showed important developmental differences, particularly with respect to the sequence of fixations and sustained attention. The nature of eye movements in the reading disabled child is unsystematic compared with normals after sustained search times of approximately five seconds.