The Connections between Language and Reading Disabilities: Current Findings and Future Directions

Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, Tempe, AZ

March 27-29, 2003

Researchers have learned a great deal about the causes of impaired reading by studying the relationship between early word reading and speech sound awareness and memory. This investigation has now broadened to include other aspects of language development in children and its impact on various components of reading.

Our March 2003 conference included scholars in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, education, and speech and language sciences. They discussed new empirical findings and identified collaborative approaches that will be effective in identifying and helping children at risk for reading disabilities. 

The Connections between Language and Reading Disabilities (2005) is published by Taylor and Francis and includes new research by many of these scholars. Editors of the book are Hugh W. Catts and Alan G. Kamhi.

Pictured below, standing, left to right: Richard Olson, Frank Manis, Guinevere Eden, James Booth, Brian Byrne, Alan Kamhi, David Francis, and Joy Simpson. Seated: Christiana Leonard, Steven Warren, Richard Schiefelbusch, Mabel Rice, Hugh Catts, Reid Lyon, Linda Lombardino, and Diane Badgley. Not pictured: Hollis Scarborough. 

Resource

Standing left to right:  Richard Olson, Frank Manis, Guinevere Eden, James Booth, Brian Byrne, Alan Kamhi, David Francis, and Joy Simpson. Seated: Christiana Leonard, Steven Warren, Richard Schiefelbusch, Mabel Rice, Hugh Catts, Reid Lyon, Linda Lombardino, and Diane Badgley. Not pictured: Hollis Scarborough

Conference Participants

Conference Directors

  • Hugh W. Catts, University of Kansas
  • Mabel L. Rice, Director of the Merrill Center, University of Kansas

Participants

  • Diane Badgley, U.S. Department of Education
  • James R. Booth, Northwestern University
  • Brian Byrne, University of New England in Australia
  • Guinevere Eden, Georgetown University
  • David J. Francis, University of Houston
  • Alan G. Kamhi, University of Oregon
  • Christiana Leonard, University of Florida
  • Linda J. Lombardino, University of Florida
  • Reid Lyon, NIH – Child Development and Behavior Branch of NICHD
  • Franklin R. Manis, University of Southern California
  • Richard K. Olson, University of Colorado at Boulder
  • Charles A. Perfetti, University of Pittsburgh
  • Hollis S. Scarborough, Haskins Laboratories
  • Margaret J. Snowling, University of York in Great Britain
  • Steven Warren, Director, Life Span Institute, University of Kansas

Merrill Board of Directors

  • Richard Schiefelbusch, Director Emeritus, Merrill Center and the Life Span Institute

Agenda

Mission Palms Hotel, Tempe, AZ

March 27-29, 2003

Thursday, March 27

Reception

Dinner

Opening Session: Welcome and Remarks

  • Mabel L. Rice, Director, Merrill Center, University of Kansas
  • Hugh W. Catts, University of Kansas, Conference Director
  • G. Reid Lyon, Branch Chief, Child Development and Behavior, NICHD – National Institutes of Health

Social Hour

Friday, March 28

Breakfast

Panel 1 Topic: Neurology of language and reading

  • Guinevere Eden, Georgetown University, “The neurological basis for phonological awareness: Implications for reading instructions and remediation”
  • James Booth, Northwestern University, “Neurocognitive disorders of oral and written language”
  • Christiana Leonard and Linda Lombardino, University of Florida, “Anatomical and behavioral distinctions between SLI and dyslexia”
  • Discussion – Moderator, Mabel Rice

Lunch

Panel 2 Topic: Connections between oral and written language disorders

  • Frank Manis, University of Southern California, “Speech perception and the link between SLI and dyslexia”
  • Charles Perfetti, University of Pittsburgh, “In the word was the beginning: A lexical foundation for reading ability”
  • Margaret Snowling, University of York, England, “Language skills and learning to read: Literacy outcomes for children with oral language impairments”

Break

Panel 2 Continued: Language and reading disorders

  • Hugh Catts, University of Kansas, “Subgroups of poor readers: Dyslexia, SLI, and other language-related reading disabilities”
  • David Francis, University of Houston, “Modeling language and reading”
  • Panel 2 Discussion – Moderator, Alan Kamhi

Dinner

Saturday, March 29

Breakfast

Panel 3 Topic: Developmental issues in language and reading

  • Hollis Scarborough, Haskins Laboratory, “Beautiful hypotheses and ugly facts: A wide-angle view of the development of reading (dis)abilities”
  • Richard Olson, University of Colorado, “Hereditability of word reading and phonological skills”
  • Brian Byrne, University of New England, Australia, “Learning processes and language in at-risk and non-at-risk preschool children”
  • Panel Discussion – Moderator, Steven Warren

Summary and Conclusions

  • G. Reid Lyon, Branch Chief, Child Development and Behavior, NICHD – National Institutes of Health
  • Moderator, Hugh Catts

Lunch and departure