A Reading Disorder or dyslexia is estimated to occur in about 4% of U.S. children.  It is usually not diagnosed until kindergarten or first grade and possibly as late as fourth grade in usually bright children. Its diagnosis is made when reading achievement on standardized tests of reading comprehension is substantially below expected for the child's age and intelligence.  Any reading difficulties must be in excess of those expected with any sensory deficit.

Small Study Finds Exercise Helps: A small randomized study of 35 dyslexic children by the University of Exeter in England found that those assigned to a special exercise program at home did substantially better. Cerebellar/vestibular signs were substantially alleviated following the exercise treatment whereas there were no significant changes for the control group. Even after allowing for the passage of time, there were significant improvements for the intervention group in postural stability, dexterity, phonological skill, and for naming fluency and semantic fluency. Reading fluency showed a highly significant improvement for the intervention group. Evaluation of an exercise-based treatment for children with reading difficulties. Reynolds D, Nicolson RI, Hambly H. Dyslexia. 2003 Feb;9(1):48-71; discussion 46-7

Coordination Treatment Does Help: Dyslexics have cerebellar problem. A study of children randomly assigned to home exercises for 6 months, e.g. standing on one foot and throwing a bean bag at a target, showed definite improvement. Studies have found intensive reading programs have not been very effects. David Reynolds at Exeter University and Rod Nicholson at Sheffield University, 11/7/02 New Scientist News Service.

Two Different Gene Variants Linked to Dyslexia: Two chromosome-6 genes which aid the neuronal migration in the developing brain, when abnormal, can each cause dyslexia according to four recent studies. Jeffrey Gruen et al of Yale studies 536 parents and siblings in 153 families with at least one dyslexic and found only those with an abnormal variant of the DCDC2 gene had dyslexia. Proceedings of the Natl Acad Sci 11/05. Juha Kere of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm found similar results in 111 German families. Amer J Human Genetics 11/05. Two English studies found instead abnormalities in the KIAA0319 gene. Julie Williams of Cardiff University studied 233 dyslexics and 273 normals (Amer J Human Genetics) while a similar University of Oxford study by Anthony Monaco confirmed those results.

Thomas E. Radecki, M.D., J.D.

modern-psychiatry.com

Email: [email protected]