Mediation or Production Deficiency in Disabled Readers? 1

Deficiencies in disabled readers’ short-term memory processing were studied. A deficit in memory capacity versus susceptibility to interference was investigated by examining performance over trials. A mediation versus production deficiency in memory processing was examined by testing the effect of instructions for rehearsal on performance of average and disabled readers in Grades 2 and 5. Contrary to prior research, facilitative effects of rehearsal instructions on second graders’ memory were found only on Trial 1. Fifth graders’ memory was adversely affected by overt rehearsal. Requiring children to rehearse overtly at a set rate may account for the results. A second study examined effects of covert rehearsal on the memory of average and disabled readers in Grade 2 over trials. Facilitative effects of covert rehearsal were shown when data of children who spontaneously rehearsed were removed. A deficiency in production by second graders was supported. Disabled readers who did not rehearse were more susceptible to interference.