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Beyond a reading disability: comments on the need to examine the full spectrum of abilities/disabilities of the atypical dyslexic brain

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Abstract

A panel of practioners and researchers convened to consider how to advance a broader understanding of the neurocognitive profile of people with dyslexia. While a great deal of research has been conducted on the reading process, the panel recognized that the “dyslexia brain” may be unique in other ways as well. In particular, the panel focused on complex nonverbal/spatial skills and correlated attributes such as career choice. The conclusion of the panel was that there is more to be learned about how people with dyslexia reason spatially and how these qualities manifest in academic, personal, and career behaviors.

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Acknowledgements

The following were members of this panel: William Baker, Jr., The Dyslexia Foundation; Don Compton, Florida State University; Laurie Cutting, Vanderbilt University; Jeff Gilger, University of California—Merced; Amelia Baker Lauderdale, The Dyslexia Foundation; Peggy McCardle, Haskins Laboratories; Michael O’Boyle, Texas Tech University; Ben Powers, Eagle Hill Southport School; Kenneth Pugh, Haskins Laboratories; Joe Viscomi, Greplytix; Julie Washington, Georgia State University; Ellen Winner, Boston College. This meeting was Funded by The Dyslexia Foundation.

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    Jeffrey W. Gilger

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A Special Topics Panel of The Dyslexia Foundation (TDF)

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Correspondence to Jeffrey W. Gilger.

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Gilger, J., A Special Topics Panel of The Dyslexia Foundation (TDF). Beyond a reading disability: comments on the need to examine the full spectrum of abilities/disabilities of the atypical dyslexic brain. Ann. of Dyslexia 67, 109–113 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11881-017-0142-x

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