ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the role and importance of visual and visual-motor processes. It discusses the importance of helping learners master these units for both reading and spelling purposes. The efficient visual and auditory processing abilities are essential for learning, remembering and encoding words correctly. Neuroscientists have long debated whether the ability to spell relies more on applying phonic knowledge or on memorizing visual images of words as wholes. The National Center for Learning Disabilities in the United States (US) identifies several visual processes that are involved to varying degrees, and at different stages, in learning to spell. Visual discrimination is the most basic skill used in spelling, to differentiate among different letters of the alphabet. Visual sequential memory is involved in storing and remembering groups of letters in their correct order, in printed, typed and handwritten words. Groff cited studies that suggest the style of handwriting children use, whether cursive or manuscript does not significantly affect their spelling ability.
