Varieties of Deficiency in the Reading Processes

Abstract

Synthesizing a diverse group of studies, M. D. Vernon argues that reading disability is not a unitary phenomenon but can result from deficiencies in different psychological processes. Previous attempts to group poor readers according to deficiencies in these processes, however, have been largely unsuccessful because, Vernon maintains,they failed to take into account the steps required in learning to read. The author asserts that because of varying psychological dysfunctions, breakdowns can occur at specific points in acquiring reading. Based on the points at which an individual's reading breaks down, Vernon presents a fourfold classifications scheme capable of categorizing all poor readers.