Visual attention matters during word recognition: A Bayesian modeling approach.

It is striking that visual attention, the process by which attentional resources are allocated in the visual field so as to locally enhance visual perception, is a pervasive component of models of eye movements in reading, but is seldom considered in models of isolated word recognition. We describe BRAID, a new Bayesian word-Recognition model with Attention, Interference and Dynamics. As most of its predecessors, BRAID incorporates three sensory, perceptual, and orthographic knowledge layers together with a lexical membership submodel.

Visual attention modulates the transition from fine-grained, serial processing to coarser-grained, more parallel processing: A computational modeling study.

During reading acquisition, beginning readers transition from serial to more parallel processing. The acquisition of word specific knowledge through orthographic learning is critical for this transition. However, the processes by which orthographic representations are acquired and fine-tuned as learning progresses are not well understood.

Visual attention span as a predictor of reading fluency and reading comprehension in Arabic.

Introduction: Visual attention span is a measure of multielement parallel processing. Individuals with higher visual attention span are expected to allocate more attention to letters within strings, which boosts letter identification and translates into more efficient reading. Given the high visual complexity of the Arabic writing system, we expected visual attention span to be an important predictor of reading in the Arabic language.

The visual-attention span deficit in developmental dyslexia: Review of evidence for a visual-attention-based deficit.

The visual attention span (VAS) deficit hypothesis in developmental dyslexia posits that a subset of dyslexic individuals shows a multielement parallel processing deficit due to reduced visual attention capacity. However, the attention-based interpretation of poor performance on VAS tasks is hotly debated. The purpose of the present paper is to clarify this issue through a critical review of relevant behavioural and neurobiological findings.

Probabilistic modeling of orthographic learning based on visuo-attentional dynamics.

How is orthographic knowledge acquired? In line with the self-teaching hypothesis, most computational models assume that phonological recoding has a pivotal role in orthographic learning. However, these models make simplifying assumptions on the mechanisms involved in visuo-orthographic processing. Against evidence from eye movement data during orthographic learning, they assume that orthographic information on novel words is immediately available and accurately encoded after a single exposure.

Atypical viewing position effect in developmental dyslexia: A behavioural and modelling investigation.

The probability of recognizing a word depends on the position of fixation during processing. In typical readers, the resulting word-recognition curves are asymmetrical, showing a left-of-centre optimal viewing position (OVP). First, we report behavioural results from dyslexic participants who show atypical word-recognition curves characterized by the OVP being right of centre with recognition probability being higher on the rightmost than on the leftmost letters.

Varieties of Cognitive Profiles in Poor Readers: Evidence for a VAS-Impaired Subtype.

A wide share of secondary school children does not reach the expected competence level in reading. These children could benefit from more efficient intervention responses, providing a better understanding of their cognitive weaknesses/deficits. Our aim was to explore the cognitive heterogeneity of a population of poor readers identified from a large sample of 948 sixth-grade children.

Visual attention modulates reading acquisition.

The processing of letters within strings is challenging for beginning readers. Letter identification is affected by visual similarity, loss of information with eccentricity and interference from nearby letters. In contrast, visual attention enhances letter identification.

Remediation of Allophonic Perception and Visual Attention Span in Developmental Dyslexia: A Joint Assay.

Categorical perception of phonemes and visual attention span are cognitive processes that contribute independently to poor reading skills in developmental dyslexia. We here explored whether training programs specifically targeting one or the other process do improve reading performance in dyslexic children. The dyslexic participants were trained using either the RapDys© program designed to improve phonemic perception or the MAEVA© program targeting visual attention span.

Modeling the length effect for words in lexical decision: The role of visual attention.

The word length effect in Lexical Decision (LD) has been studied in many behavioral experiments but no computational models has yet simulated this effect. We use a new Bayesian model of visual word recognition, the BRAID model, that simulates expert readers' performance. BRAID integrates an attentional component modeled by a Gaussian probability distribution, a mechanism of lateral interference between adjacent letters and an acuity gradient, but no phonological component.

Cross-Language Modulation of Visual Attention Span: An Arabic-French-Spanish Comparison in Skilled Adult Readers.

In delineating the amount of orthographic information that can be processed in parallel during a single fixation, the visual attention (VA) span acts as a key component of the reading system. Previous studies focused on the contribution of VA span to normal and pathological reading in monolingual and bilingual children from different European languages, without direct cross-language comparison. In the current paper, we explored modulations of VA span abilities in three languages -French, Spanish, and Arabic- that differ in transparency, reading direction and writing systems.

Relationships between Categorical Perception of Phonemes, Phoneme Awareness, and Visual Attention Span in Developmental Dyslexia.

We tested the hypothesis that the categorical perception deficit of speech sounds in developmental dyslexia is related to phoneme awareness skills, whereas a visual attention (VA) span deficit constitutes an independent deficit. Phoneme awareness tasks, VA span tasks and categorical perception tasks of phoneme identification and discrimination using a d/t voicing continuum were administered to 63 dyslexic children and 63 control children matched on chronological age. Results showed significant differences in categorical perception between the dyslexic and control children.

An Analysis of Reading Skill Development using E-Z Reader.

Previously reported simulations using the E-Z Reader model of eye-movement control suggest that the patterns of eye movements observed with children versus adult readers reflect differences in lexical processing proficiency (Reichle et al., 2013). However, these simulations fail to specify precisely what aspect(s) of lexical processing (e.

The phonological and visual basis of developmental dyslexia in Brazilian Portuguese reading children.

Evidence from opaque languages suggests that visual attention processing abilities in addition to phonological skills may act as cognitive underpinnings of developmental dyslexia. We explored the role of these two cognitive abilities on reading fluency in Brazilian Portuguese, a more transparent orthography than French or English. Sixty-six children with developmental dyslexia and normal Brazilian Portuguese children participated.

New insights on developmental dyslexia subtypes: heterogeneity of mixed reading profiles.

We examined whether classifications based on reading performance are relevant to identify cognitively homogeneous subgroups of dyslexic children. Each of the 71 dyslexic participants was selected to have a mixed reading profile, i.e.

Veridical mapping in savant abilities, absolute pitch, and synesthesia: an autism case study.

An enhanced role and autonomy of perception are prominent in autism. Furthermore, savant abilities, absolute pitch, and synesthesia are all more commonly found in autistic individuals than in the typical population. The mechanism of veridical mapping has been proposed to account for how enhanced perception in autism leads to the high prevalence of these three phenomena and their structural similarity.

Lexical orthography acquisition: Is handwriting better than spelling aloud?

Lexical orthography acquisition is currently described as the building of links between the visual forms and the auditory forms of whole words. However, a growing body of data suggests that a motor component could further be involved in orthographic acquisition. A few studies support the idea that reading plus handwriting is a better lexical orthographic learning situation than reading alone.

Impact of orthographic transparency on typical and atypical reading development: evidence in French-Spanish bilingual children.

The present study aimed to quantify cross-linguistic modulations of the contribution of phonemic awareness skills and visual attention span (VA Span) skills (number of visual elements that can be processed simultaneously) to reading speed and accuracy in 18 Spanish-French balanced bilingual children with and without developmental dyslexia. The children were administered two similar reading batteries in French and Spanish. The deficits of the dyslexic children in reading accuracy were mainly visible in their opaque orthography (French) whereas difficulties indexed by reading speed were observed in both their opaque and transparent orthographies.

Dyslexia in a French-Spanish bilingual girl: behavioural and neural modulations following a visual attention span intervention.

We report the case study of a French-Spanish bilingual dyslexic girl, MP, who exhibited a severe visual attention (VA) span deficit but preserved phonological skills. Behavioural investigation showed a severe reduction of reading speed for both single items (words and pseudo-words) and texts in the two languages. However, performance was more affected in French than in Spanish.

Lexical neighborhood effects in pseudoword spelling.

The general aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the cognitive processes that underpin skilled adult spelling. More specifically, it investigates the influence of lexical neighbors on pseudo-word spelling with the goal of providing a more detailed account of the interaction between lexical and sublexical sources of knowledge in spelling. In prior research examining this topic, adult participants typically heard lists composed of both words and pseudo-words and had to make a lexical decision to each stimulus before writing the pseudo-words.

Auditory Stream Segregation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Benefits and Downsides of Superior Perceptual Processes.

Auditory stream segregation allows us to organize our sound environment, by focusing on specific information and ignoring what is unimportant. One previous study reported difficulty in stream segregation ability in children with Asperger syndrome. In order to investigate this question further, we used an interleaved melody recognition task with children in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Investigating the role of visual and auditory search in reading and developmental dyslexia.

It has been suggested that auditory and visual sequential processing deficits contribute to phonological disorders in developmental dyslexia. As an alternative explanation to a phonological deficit as the proximal cause for reading disorders, the visual attention span hypothesis (VA Span) suggests that difficulties in processing visual elements simultaneously lead to dyslexia, regardless of the presence of a phonological disorder. In this study, we assessed whether deficits in processing simultaneously displayed visual or auditory elements is linked to dyslexia associated with a VA Span impairment.

Genetic analysis of dyslexia candidate genes in the European cross-linguistic NeuroDys cohort.

Dyslexia is one of the most common childhood disorders with a prevalence of around 5-10% in school-age children. Although an important genetic component is known to have a role in the aetiology of dyslexia, we are far from understanding the molecular mechanisms leading to the disorder. Several candidate genes have been implicated in dyslexia, including DYX1C1, DCDC2, KIAA0319, and the MRPL19/C2ORF3 locus, each with reports of both positive and no replications.