The Bender-Gestalt was given to children retarded in reading ability, to emotionally disturbed but normal readers, and to normal children. Distortions were less infrequent in normal children without reading disability. Differences between emotionally disturbed, normal readers and those retarded in reading were not significant. The developmental concept is important in understanding reading disability. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)