Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Dyslexics' Visual Attention Field

This study is investigating if some children with dyslexia have difficulty with how their eyes and brain focus on visual information, rather than just problems with understanding sounds (which is often thought to cause dyslexia). Researchers believe that for some children, a problem with 'visual attention' – how well they can concentrate on specific things they see – might be a cause of their reading difficulties. They're testing this by asking dyslexic children to do visual search tasks, like finding certain shapes or letters. If they find this to be true, it could mean that these visual attention problems aren't a side effect of poor reading, but something that contributes to it from a very young age. This could lead to earlier ways to spot dyslexia and more tailored educational support for children who struggle with these visual skills.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Hospices Civils de Lyon

Enrolment target

1,460

Start

25 Jul 2018

Estimated completion

21 Oct 2026

Dyslexia

What is this study about?

This study is trying to understand why some children have dyslexia. Often, people think of dyslexia as a problem with sounds and language, like mixing up syllables or struggling to connect letters to their sounds. However, this research is looking at another idea: that for some children with dyslexia, the main problem might actually be with how their eyes and brain work together to pay attention to what they see.

Imagine you're trying to find a specific toy in a messy room. Your brain needs to quickly sort through all the visual information and focus on just the toy you're looking for. This study suggests that some dyslexic children might find this 'visual attention' much harder, especially when they need to find specific visual things, like different letters or shapes. By understanding if these visual attention difficulties happen even before children learn to read, researchers hope to show that this isn't just a side effect of struggling with reading, but potentially a root cause.

If the study confirms this, it could be a very important step forward. It might allow doctors and educators to spot dyslexia earlier in young children, even before they start school. This early understanding could then lead to more specific and effective support tailored to help children who struggle with these particular visual skills. The goal is to make sure children get the right help as early as possible.

Key takeaways

The study explores if visual attention problems contribute to dyslexia.
It aims to see if visual difficulties are a cause, not just a result, of dyslexia.
Children aged 3-12 with diagnosed dyslexia and good vision can participate.
Participation involves visual tasks, no medication.
Findings could lead to earlier diagnosis and better tailored support for dyslexia.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for children between 3 and 12 years old. To join, a child must have vision that is either normal or has been corrected to normal with glasses or contact lenses. They also need to have been formally diagnosed with dyslexia using a specific test called the "alouette" test.

There are certain reasons why a child would not be able to join. For example, if they have other developmental challenges like language difficulties (dysphasia), movement coordination problems (dyspraxia), or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), they wouldn't be able to participate. Also, children with certain eye conditions like a squint (strabismus), a 'lazy eye' (amblyopia), or problems with controlling eye movements would not be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is my child between 3 and 12 years old?
Has my child been officially diagnosed with dyslexia?
Does my child have normal vision, or is it corrected to normal with glasses/contacts?
Does my child *not* have other conditions like ADHD, dysphasia, or dyspraxia?
Does my child *not* have eye problems like a squint or 'lazy eye'?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The study involves children taking part in some tests designed to look at their visual attention skills. These are likely to be paper-and-pencil or computer-based tasks where they might have to find particular shapes or 'letter-like' items among others. There are no medications involved in this study. The researchers will compare the results from children with dyslexia to those of children who do not have dyslexia. The total duration of participation is not specified but usually involves a single visit or a few short visits for testing.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of contributing to our understanding of dyslexia, potentially leading to better diagnosis and support for children in the future. There are no known physical risks as the study only involves non-invasive visual tests. However, children might find the tests tiring or challenging. You are free to withdraw your child from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect their care or relationship with their doctors.

Locations (1)

U1028 INSERM - CNRS UMR 5292 Equipe ImpAct
Verified postcode
Bron, France

Common questions

What is 'visual attention'?

Visual attention is basically how well your brain helps your eyes focus and concentrate on specific things you see, like finding a friend in a crowd.

Are they giving my child any medicine?

No, this study does not involve any medication. It only involves your child completing some visual tests.

How old does my child need to be?

Your child needs to be between 3 and 12 years old to take part in this study.

What happens if my child wants to stop?

You or your child can decide to stop participating at any point, for any reason, without it affecting their care.

How will this study help children with dyslexia?

If successful, this study could lead to earlier diagnosis of dyslexia and more focused, effective support for children who struggle with specific visual attention skills.