Tarzan helps to find dyslexics: a pseudo‐word test

A pseudo‐word test called Tarzan will be presented and standard scores for high school‐aged students between 16 and 18 will be suggested. The test uses E. R. Burroughs' text, in which pseudo‐words are added in order to study phonological coding and, through that, possible dyslexia. Girls performed better on the test and their scores correlated well with existing standardised tests. The test is easy and quick to perform and can be a tool for teachers when diagnosing reading problems. However, it cannot be used alone; several and diverse tests are needed.     

Learning disabilities and the auditory and visual matching computer program

This study examined whether audiovisual computer training without linguistic material had a remedial effect on different learning disabilities, like dyslexia and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). This study applied a pre‐test–intervention–post‐test design with students (N = 62) between the ages of 7 and 19. The computer training lasted eight weeks occurring twice a week for 15 minutes per session. After the training period, an improvement in the auditory‐visual matching test was found. According to the hypothesis of this study, the youngest children with dyslexia would benefit most from the intervention. However, the training had also a positive effect on auditory‐visual matching with older students with dyslexia. Surprisingly, the students with ADD benefited from this intervention. According to the teachers, this intervention had also a positive effect on the students' school behaviour.