Developmental dyslexia: two right hemispheres and none left. 1977

S F Witelson

Developmental dyslexia may be associated with (i) bi-hemisphere representation of spatial functions, in contrast to the right-hemisphere specialization observed in normal children, and (ii) typical left-hemisphere representation of linguistic functions, as is observed in normal children. The bilateral neural involvement in spatial processing may interfere with the left hemisphere's processing of its own specialized functions and result in deficient linguistic, sequential cognitive processing and in overuse of the spatial, holistic cognitive mode. This pattern of cognitive deficits and biases may lead dyslexics to read predominantly with a spatial-holistic cognitive strategy and neglect the phonetic-sequential strategy. Such an approach in learning to read phonetically coded languages, such as English, many be inefficient and limited.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007839 Functional Laterality Behavioral manifestations of cerebral dominance in which there is preferential use and superior functioning of either the left or the right side, as in the preferred use of the right hand or right foot. Ambidexterity,Behavioral Laterality,Handedness,Laterality of Motor Control,Mirror Writing,Laterality, Behavioral,Laterality, Functional,Mirror Writings,Motor Control Laterality,Writing, Mirror,Writings, Mirror
D008037 Linguistics The science of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and historical linguistics. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) Linguistic
D008297 Male Males
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D003071 Cognition Intellectual or mental process whereby an organism obtains knowledge. Cognitive Function,Cognitions,Cognitive Functions,Function, Cognitive,Functions, Cognitive
D004410 Dyslexia A cognitive disorder characterized by an impaired ability to comprehend written and printed words or phrases despite intact vision. This condition may be developmental or acquired. Developmental dyslexia is marked by reading achievement that falls substantially below that expected given the individual's chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education. The disturbance in reading significantly interferes with academic achievement or with activities of daily living that require reading skills. (From DSM-IV) Alexia,Dyslexia, Developmental,Reading Disability, Developmental,Reading Disorder,Reading Disorder, Developmental,Developmental Reading Disorder,Word Blindness,Alexias,Blindness, Word,Blindnesses, Word,Developmental Dyslexia,Developmental Dyslexias,Developmental Reading Disabilities,Developmental Reading Disability,Developmental Reading Disorders,Disabilities, Developmental Reading,Disability, Developmental Reading,Disorder, Developmental Reading,Disorder, Reading,Disorders, Developmental Reading,Disorders, Reading,Dyslexias,Dyslexias, Developmental,Reading Disabilities, Developmental,Reading Disorders,Reading Disorders, Developmental,Word Blindnesses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D013236 Stereognosis Perception of shape and form of objects by TOUCH and KINESTHESIS, via tactile stimuli. Haptic Perception,Tactile Gnosis,Gnoses, Tactile,Gnosis, Tactile,Perception, Haptic,Tactile Gnoses

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