The Effects of Illustrations on the Reading Performance of Learning Disabled and Normal Children

This study examined the effect of three illustration conditions — no illustrations, complete illustrations, and partial illustrations — on the reading performance of learning disabled and normally achieving children. With the effects of chronological age and intelligence test score controlled, illustrations were found to exert a detrimental effect on the learning disabled subjects' performance but a beneficial effect on the performance of normally achieving subjects. Findings are discussed as they relate to the selection and/or adaptation of instructional materials for learning disabled students.