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Reading and writing skills in young adults with spina bifida and hydrocephalus

  • MARCIA BARNES (a1) (a2), MAUREEN DENNIS (a1) (a3) (a4) and ROSS HETHERINGTON (a1) (a4)
Abstract

Reading and writing were studied in 31 young adults with spina bifida and hydrocephalus (SBH). Like children with this condition, young adults with SBH had better word decoding than reading comprehension, and, compared to population means, had lower scores on a test of writing fluency. Reading comprehension was predicted by word decoding and listening comprehension. Writing was predicted by fine motor finger function, verbal intelligence, and short-term and working memory. These findings are consistent with cognitive models of reading and writing. Writing, but not reading, was related to highest level of education achieved and writing fluency predicted several aspects of functional independence. Reading comprehension and writing remain deficient in adults with SBH and have consequences for educational attainments and functional independence. (JINS, 2004, 10, 655–663.)

Copyright
Corresponding author
Reprint requests to: Marcia Barnes, Ph.D., Department of Psychology Research, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada. E-mail: mbarnes@sickkids.ca
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Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
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