Visual-spatial component of working memory and short-term memory in students with learning disorders and comparison with normal students

The aim of this research was to investigate visual-spatial component of working memory and short-term memory in students with learning disorders and comparison with normal students. 30 3rd grade elementary students with learning disorders and 10 3rd grade elementary normal students were selected through multistage random cluster sampling. The instruments were Scale for Identifying Students with Spelling Learning Disability، Keymath Test، Reading Level Diagnostic Test، Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)، Clinical Interview and Corsi Blocks Task for assessing visual-spatial component of working memory and short-term memory. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. The results showed that there is a significant difference between students with reading، mathematics and spelling learning disorders and normal students in visual-spatial component of working memory and short-term memory. Students with mathematics disorder had lower performance in these components. Students with learning disorders particularlymathematics disorder had deficits in visual-spatial component of working memory and short-term memory. This problem should be assessed in order to plan appropriate interventions.