Creativity strengths in Hong Kong school-aged children with developmental dyslexia

Abstract

This study examined whether Cantonese children with developmental dyslexia (DD) exhibit strengths in creativity. Two different age groups of participants: (1) 35 children with DD, and 39 chronological-age-matched controls of group from Primary two, (2) 40 children with DD, and 38 chronological-age-matched controls from Primary four and five, were tested on figural, verbal, and non-verbal creativity, as well personality test and parent-reported questionnaire on emotional and behavioural problems. Children with DD performed better in originality and elaboration of non-verbal creativity than the age-matched controls regardless of age. Children with DD performed significantly better in checklist of creative strengths than age-matched controls. Only higher grade typical developing children performed better in fluency of verbal creativity. These findings suggest children with DD have better non-verbal creativity in some aspects across age. Children with DD in higher grade had more behavioural problems and lower personality self-rating, which suggests a possible cause for developing compensatory skills. However, creativity advantage was developed in younger age. Also, discrepancy between typical developing children and children with DD did not have any significant difference across age. Creativity strengths in children with DD may be contributed by nature factor.