What is hard about learning for college students who have learning disabilities?

Boston University Department of Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences Research Colloquium Series Abstract: Language pathology is central to the definition of learning disability (LD) and deficits in word learning are highly symptomatic. In a series of studies, we are examining the nature of the word learning deficit in college students with LD. In the first study, 69 college students with or without LD took tests to measure learning of novel word forms and meanings immediately after training (encoding) and 12-hours, 24-hours, and 1-week later (consolidation). The results confirmed deficits in the encoding of word forms. Similarities and differences in patterns of remembering in the LD and ND groups motivated the hypothesis that consolidation of memory for new words is a strength for affected adults. To test this hypothesis, 77 students with and without LD were trained on novel word forms. Immediately after training, encoding was measured via form recognition and recall. One week later, consolidation was measured via repetition of the recall task and integration via a visual world competition paradigm. At the immediate posttest, the LD group did not differ from peers on recognition of form but they were poorer at recall. The recall gap remained equivalent in size one week later; therefore, consolidation over time did not differ between groups. Their responses to the visual world paradigm suggested good integration of word forms into the lexicon. We conclude that encoding deficits make word learning hard for college students with LD. Funded by NIH-NIDCD-5R01DC011742-02.

When 5:00 pm on Monday, March 24, 2014
Building Sargent College, 635 Commonwealth Avenue
Room SAR 220
Contact Name Sudha Arunachalam
Phone (617) 353-7491
Contact Email sarunach@bu.edu
Contact Organization Dept. of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Fees Free
Speakers Professor Karla K. McGregor, University of Iowa