The relation of the structure of language to performance in mathematics

Factors Associated with Arithmetic-and-Reading Disability and Specific Arithmetic Disability

“…A number of studies have reported data suggesting that poor achievement in arithmetic may be largely attributable to the same language-based deficits that underlie poor reading achievement (e.g., Chansky, Czernik, Duffy, & Finnell, 1980;Perry, Guidubaldi, & Kehle, 1979;Pullman, 1981;Rourke & Finlayson, 1978;Satz, Taylor, Friel, & Fletcher, 1978;Stevenson, Parker, Wilkinson, Hegion, & Fish, 1976). Consistent with this view is the observation that children with poor arithmetic achievement also tend to be poor readers (Satz et al, 1978;Share, Silva, & Adler, in press;Yule, 1973).…”

“…Early cognitive and neuropsychological predictors of reading and arithmetic achievement are striking in their similarity (Bryant & Bradley, 1985;Stevenson et al, 1976). Some investigators have suggested that poor arithmetic achievement in many children may be attributable to poor reading skills per se (Muth, 1984;Pullman, 1981). For example, Muth (1984) experimentally manipulated the computational and reading demands of a series of arithmetic problems.…”