Developmental Eye Movement test and dyslexic children: A pilot study with eye movement recordings

PLoS One. 2018 Sep 7;13(9):e0200907. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200907. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

The goal of this study is to explore eye movement recordings during the Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) test in dyslexic and non-dyslexic children. Thirteen children with dyslexia, 13 non-dyslexic chronological age- and IQ-matched children and 13 non-dyslexic reading age- and IQ-matched children were examined. Test C of the DEM test was performed with and without eye movement recordings (eye tracker by SuriCog). The results of the three groups were compared. Children with dyslexia and non-dyslexic children of equivalent reading age have significant longer fixation time and take longer to read Test C of the DEM test than non-dyslexic children of similar chronological age. A significant correlation was also found between the fixation time and the number of words read in one minute with the total time to read Test C of the DEM test. DEM test is a useful test for exploring the oculomotor behavior of dyslexic children during reading. The maturation of cortical structures controlling fixation capability appears to play a crucial role in reading skills.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dyslexia / physiopathology*
  • Eye Movement Measurements
  • Eye Movements / physiology*
  • Female
  • Fixation, Ocular / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Reading

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.