Working memory in young children: Evidence for modality-specificity and implications for cerebral reorganization in early childhood

Author(s): Conant, L. L., Lauer, R. E.

Journal/Book: Neuropsychologia. 1998; 36: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 643-652.

Abstract: Digit span (DS) and visual-spatial memory span (VMS) tasks have been considered indices of auditory and visual-spatial processing, respectively, often classified as ''primary memory'' or ''attention''. There has been limited evidence for their modality specificity, however. We present two children who showed visual-spatial processing deficiencies (including VMS) and non-dominant manual inefficiency with normal visual-spatial perception, auditory-verbal processing and dominant fine manual skills. These children support a distinction between auditory and visual-spatial memory span. These findings are discussed with regard to a hypothesis that the unique expression of VMS is time-limited, that visual-spatial processing becomes more verbalized as children learn to read and that these behavioral changes produce a lateral shift in cortical processing of visual-spatial information.

Note: Article Fastenau PS, Indiana Univ Purdue Univ, Dept Psychol, LD 124, 402 N Blackford St, Indianapolis,IN 46202 USA

Keyword(s): immediate memory; working memory; learning disability; reading; written language; child development; OSTERRIETH COMPLEX FIGURE; PRODUCTIONS; VOCABULARY

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