Comparison the ability of visual-spatialplanning - cognitive and short term memory in children with and without writing disorder

The purpose of this study is to compare the cognitive profile (Visual-spatial working memory, short-term memory and cognitive planning) in children with writing disability and normal children. The research was a causal-comparative study. Its statistical population consisted of students aged 7-11 years old with specific learning disorder at Learning Disorders Center in Ardabil city. Thirty students were selected by convenient sampling. Also the normal group consisted of 30 students randomly selected according to age, ability, socio-economic status, grade and the absence of psychological disorders among the schools to be compared with the groups. Data were collected using Benton's visual-spatial memory scales, Proteus's mazes, short-term memory and Wexler's forward and reverse short-term memory span and were analyzed through MANOVA. The findings showed that students with dysgraphia in visual-spatial memory, cognitive planning and short-term memory and normal students were significantly different and these components were significantly lower than their normal counterparts. So students with dysgraphia had lower performance compared to normal students in visual-spatial working memory components, short-term memory and cognitive planning.