Simulation of dyslexia. How literacy and cognitive skills can help distinguish college students with dyslexia from malingerers

The Intellectual Profile of Adults with Specific Learning Disabilities

Despite growing research on adults with specific learning disabilities (SLDs), evidence concerning their intellectual profile remains scarce. The present study examined the results of the administration of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition to 301 adults diagnosed with SLDs and compared them to the results obtained from previous studies with a large sample of children with SLDs. The results showed that: (1) as observed among children, adults with SLDs also presented higher scores in the subtests implying reasoning (associated with the General Ability Index, GAI) and lower scores in the subtests involving working memory and processing speed; (2) the discrepancy between full-scale IQ and the GAI had a good predictive value in discriminating adults with and without SLDs; (3) the four-factor hierarchical structure of intelligence proposed for the general adult population held for adults with SLDs as well, even though there were substantial differences in the loadings and a five-factor structure could be more appropriate; (4) similarities as well as strong differences were present between adults and children with SLDs. In adults, scores on subtests were generally lower, particularly in working memory and processing speed. However, in some cases, scores were equal or even higher (as in the "Similarity" subtest) among adults, meaning that the discrepancy between the full scale and the GAI was accentuated.

Stroop interference in children with developmental dyslexia: An event-related potentials study

Previous studies have identified inhibitory deficits in dyslexic children, but we have little understanding of their neural mechanisms, especially for Chinese children with developmental dyslexia.We used a double-blind controlled trial to study the electroencephalogram responses of dyslexic and non-dyslexic children when performing the Stroop color-word test.Behavioral data showed differences in response time and accuracy between the 2 groups. In the event-related potentials (ERP) results, dyslexic children displayed larger P2 and P3b on congruent trials, while non-dyslexic children displayed larger P2 and P3b on incongruent trials, the 2 groups showed opposite brain activation patterns on the Stroop test.Dyslexic children have poor inhibitory function, and this poor inhibition may be related to their abnormal brain activation patterns.

Academic accommodation strategies for pharmacy students with learning disabilities: What else can be done?

INTRODUCTION

Colleges and schools of pharmacy in the US are faced with the challenge of providing appropriate academic accommodations for students with learning disabilities (SLD) including those with dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia. Although there are no population statistics about SLD in pharmacy schools, current data show that their number at higher education institutions across the US has increased. This commentary discusses how the rigorous pharmacy school curriculum affects SLD and proposes creative and innovative measures to overcome these obstacles.

PERSPECTIVE

The shift in the public perception about SLD from a state of stigma to a manageable condition in recent years has greatly contributed to increase the number of SLD enrolled in higher education institutions. Although most colleges and universities can now offer some type of academic accommodation to SLD compared to few years ago, other academic accommodation recommendations to SLD remain challenging to implement, especially for SLD enrolled in pharmacy programs.

IMPLICATIONS

SLD enrolled in pharmacy programs could benefit from a multifaceted approach involving the school's office of disability services, medical practitioners, behavioral and language specialists, as well as some sort of curricular changes in order to be academically successful and become practice ready upon graduation.