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Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science

MACCS Reading Treatment Study

A team of researchers at MACCS are comparing two different types of treatment for children with reading difficulties (also called developmental dyslexia). These treatments are based on the dual route model of reading. Treatment 1 trains children to read by teaching them to convert letters into speech sounds, which they can then blend into words. This training takes 8 weeks. Treatment 2 trains children to match whole written words with whole spoken words to improve their reading of irregular (exception) words. This treatment also takes 8 weeks. All children do both reading treatments at home using computer-based programs.

image taskVolunteering for the study

We are looking for 7- to 12-year old children who have:

1. English as their first language
2. No problems with attention, hearing, sight, or behaviour
3. Poor reading for their age

What is involved?

1. Test 1 at MACCS

Children visit MACCS to do 2-3 hours of activities that include reading words and playing word games. Children are given something to eat and drink half way through the session so that they can have a rest (we will check with parents about food allergies). Parents are given parking permits and are reimbursed for some petrol costs. We provide a written report of the child’s performance on the reading and language tasks.

2. Test 2 at MACCS

After 8 weeks of no training, children return to MACCS to do the same tests. These results tell us how much children improve on the tests even if they do no training. Again parents are given parking permits and are reimbursed for petrol costs. With a parent’s consent, we give a child $30 to thank them for their hard work.

3. Treatment 1 at home

Children work on Treatment 1 or Treatment 2 at home for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. With a parent’s consent, we give children $1 for each training session that they complete ($40 maximum).

4. Test 3 at MACCS

After 8 weeks of training, each child returns to MACCS for another testing session so we can check their progress. We provide parents with a parking permit, pay for their petrol costs, and (with a parent’s approval) reward the child with $30 for completing the tests.

5. Treatment 2 at home

All children will then do another 8 weeks of Treatment 1 or Treatment 2 for 30 minutes per day for 5 days per week. With a parent’s consent, we give children $1 for every training session that they complete ($40 maximum).

6. Test 4 at MACCS

All children return to MACCS for a final session to check their progress. Parents are given a parking permit and payment for petrol costs. Children are (with a parent’s approval) rewarded with $30 for completing the tests. At this stage, give parents a final report on their child’s progress.

Parents interested in having their child join the study need to contact Kristy Jones or Erin Barriball via phone or email. Parents will be asked to anser some questions over the phone regarding their child’s development and their skills.

Computer based taskAre there any benefits for your child participating in the study?

If treatments 1 or 2 work then a child will benefit from the study by improving their reading. If a child fits our research criteria and accepts our invitation to participate in the study, we will provide reports about your child’s performance on the reading and language tests at Test 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Are there any risks or side effects associated with this study?

There are no known risks or side effects of either treatment.

Are there any previous studies?

Many studies have examined whether phonics training helps children with reading difficulties (Treatment 1). Overall, the results are encouraging. However, very few studies have trained sight-word reading skills in children with reading difficulties (Treatment 2). This is the first well-controlled study to compare phonological recoding and sight-word training in children with reading difficulties.

Other information

We may record children’s responses during test sessions so that we can score their performance after the session. These recordings will be deleted.

All other information and personal details will be confidential. Only the research team will have access to the test results, which will be kept in locked cabinets at all times, and will be identified by code numbers and not names. No individual child will be identified in any publication. All hardcopies of the tests will be shredded 5 years after the final publication.

Participation in this project is voluntary, and a child is free to withdraw from the study at any time. It is important to us that a child is happy to be involved in the study. It would be helpful if parents could explain to their child (in simple words) what they would have to do in the study (and that they agree to do it) before they come to the first test session. We will do the same when they come to the first session so that we can get their informed consent to be involved in the study.