Three symbol association subtests were constructed that involved association of words with geometric designs, words with nonsense words, and geometric designs with other designs. These tests were standardized on 457 children. In an initial study, each test was administered to 19 reading-disabled children and matched controls. Five specific score patterns were found for 15 poor readers, but only 4 controls. In a second study of 10 disabled readers, all showed one of these same five patterns. The possibility that the patterns reflect different types of cognitive dysfunction that underlie some specific reading disabilities is discussed. With further validation, the tests might prove useful in research and clinical practice with reading-disabled children.
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