Analysis of the Figurative and Operative Processes of Thought of 40 Dyslexic Children

Abstract

This study shows the existence of quantitative retardations and qualitative perturbations in the cognitive processes of a group of dyslexic children. Eighty percent of them present serious delays in the developmental level of the figurative aspects of thought. This was particularly observed among the older children in the group. We also noted a delay among the dyslexics concerning the acquisition of operative mechanisms. Qualitative disturbances specific to certain items and certain tests occurred. These characteristics are essendally modes of approach that seem related to disturbances in the figurative aspect of thought: all the subjects who were very disturbed from a figurative point of view also showed a delay in operativity; none of the eight figuratively undisturbed children showed this operative delay. Thus, in this group of dyslexic children, the “abusive preponderance” of perception hinders the arrival of their thought processes at the more evolved and more operative intellectual stages of development.