A comparison of reading strategies in genetic dyslexics and children with right and left brain deficits.

The reading levels and reading strategies of 43 children with genetic dyslexia, right-hemisphere lesions/dysfunction, and left-hemisphere lesions/dysfunction were retrospectively compared. Age and IQ were comparable. Only children who had a verbal or performance IQ over 90 were included in the study. Although the genetic dyslexics had a significantly higher Full Scale IQ than the other two groups, their reading level was significantly lower. This suggests that a disturbance of the normal processes of neuronal migration during fetal development may have profound effects on specific cognitive processes, without affecting others. In contrast, 50 percent of the boys with left-hemisphere deficits were disabled readers. One-third of the boys with right-hemisphere deficits were also poor readers. With one exception, the girls, who had comparable deficits, were good readers. A comparison was made between the groups in terms of reading strategies and patterns of errors.