Automaticity and Executive Abilities in Developmental Dyslexia: A Theoretical Review
James H Smith-Spark1, Rebecca Gordon2
1Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK.
Brain Sciences
|April 21, 2022
Summary
Developmental dyslexia involves deficits in automaticity and executive functions. The Model of the Control of Action explains these cognitive challenges and their link to literacy difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive difficulties are a hallmark of developmental dyslexia, posing challenges to existing theories.
- Understanding the interplay of automaticity and executive functions is crucial for dyslexia research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose the Model of the Control of Action as a theoretical framework for understanding cognitive deficits in dyslexia.
- To explore the relationship between automaticity, executive abilities, and literacy difficulties.
- To examine the neuroanatomical underpinnings of these cognitive functions in dyslexia.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical review integrating evidence from cognitive domains.
- Discussion of neuroanatomical correlates of automaticity and executive functions.
- Analysis of the links between reading, writing, and executive function.
Main Results:
- The Model of the Control of Action offers an explanation for deficits in automaticity and executive abilities in dyslexia.
- Evidence suggests dyslexia theory should incorporate the interaction between procedural learning (automaticity) and executive functions.
- Cerebellar-prefrontal cortex (PFC) interaction is vital for managing interference, strategy development, and action planning.
Conclusions:
- Deficits in cerebellar-PFC interaction may underlie literacy impairments in childhood and task management issues in adulthood.
- Improved assessment of cerebellar-PFC interaction is needed for early identification of dyslexia.
- Timely interventions and reasonable adjustments can be facilitated by early identification.
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