Which processing deficit is primarily linked to dyslexic readers?

Phonological processing is closely associated with dyslexia because it involves the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language. This skill is fundamental for decoding words, which is the process of translating written text into spoken language. Dyslexic readers often struggle with phonological tasks, such as segmenting words into individual sounds or blending sounds together to form words. This difficulty can lead to challenges in reading fluency and comprehension, as they may find it hard to connect sounds to letters and vice versa.

In contrast, the other types of processing, such as visual processing, motor processing, and spatial processing, do not have the same direct link to the core reading difficulties experienced by individuals with dyslexia. While those areas may pose challenges for some learners, they are not the primary deficits that define dyslexia, which is fundamentally a language-based learning disability rooted in phonological awareness.