In alphabetic languages, verbal short-term memory deficit has been evidenced as one important factor underlying reading disorder. Furthermore, this deficit was identified widely in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia. However, the nature of thisverbal short-term memory deficit in Chinese dyslexics is not clear. In the framework of working memory, this study examines the coding strategy, rehearsal ability and inhibitory ability in Chinese four and five grade children with developmental dyslexia versus age-matched children. The results suggest that there is no difference in coding strategy and rehearsal ability between developmental dyslexia and control group. But, the performance of developmental dyslexics in restraining the interferential information in the phonological process is inferior to the chronological control group, implying that the verbal short-term memory deficit in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia possibly is derived from the inhibitory ability deficit.
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