Dyslexia (specific reading disability)

Converging evidence from a number of lines of investigation indicates that dyslexia represents a disorder within the language system and more specifically within a particular subcomponent of that system, phonological processing. Recent advances in imaging technology. particularly the development of functional magnetic resonance imaging, provide evidence of a, neurobiological signature for dyslaxia, specifically a disruption of two left hemisphere posterior brain systems, one parieto-lemporal, the other occipito-temporal, with compensatory engagement of anterior systems around the inferior frontal gyrus and a posterior (right occipito-temporal) system. Furthermore, good evidence indicates a computational role for the left occipito-temporal system the development of fluent (automatic) reading. The brain systems for reading are malleable and their disruption in dyslexic children may be remediated by provision of an evidence-based. effective reading intervention. In addition, functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of young adults with, reading difficulties and longitudinally from age 5 through their mid twenties suggests that their may be two types of reading difficulties, one primarily on a genetic basis, the other, and far more common, reflecting environmental influences. These studies offer the promise for more precise identification and effective management of dyslexia in children, adolescents and adults.