Linking Attention Deficits to Difficulties in the Comprehension of Complex Syntax in Dyslexia

Recent research suggests that dyslexia involves not only reading difficulties but also deficits in working memory, attention, language, and information processing. This study examined the role of auditory attention in the comprehension of syntactically complex sentences in children with dyslexia. Participants completed an auditory language comprehension test and an auditory sustained attention task. Results showed that the dyslexic group scored lower than controls on both tasks, indicating weaker auditory attention and comprehension. They gave fewer correct answers and exhibited longer reaction times, particularly as syntactic complexity increased. Dyslexic individuals also made more errors and required more time to respond, suggesting impairments in auditory language processing, likely linked to attention deficits. While increased syntactic complexity reduced performance in both groups, the dyslexic group consistently demonstrated more pronounced difficulties than their typical peers did. These findings highlight that auditory attention and syntactic complexity significantly affect sentence comprehension in children with dyslexia. The results suggest that comprehension challenges in dyslexia are not solely due to reading limitations but also involve broader cognitive processing issues. Insights into specific sentence structures and processing delays can inform the development of more sensitive diagnostic tools and targeted interventions for assessing and supporting language comprehension in dyslexic populations.