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The Role of Executive Functions in the Reading Process

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Reading Fluency

Part of the book series: Literacy Studies ((LITS,volume 12))

Abstract

“Executive functions” (EF) is an umbrella term for a set of cognitive abilities that are thought to be controlled by the frontal lobe of the brain. The development of these abilities relies on the use of different language skills, including reading. Dyslexia is a specific case of reading impairment that is primarily a result of phonological deficit. In this chapter, the involvement of EF during reading and the possible contribution of executive dysfunction to dyslexia are described. The effect of an executive-based (speed of processing, working memory and visual attention) reading intervention that can improve reading ability in both children and adults with dyslexia by re-wiring brain regions important for both reading and executive functioning is also reviewed. The role of EF in reading may have future implications for diagnosing dyslexia and improving intervention therapy for individuals with reading disabilities.

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Acknowledgements

This chapter is dedicated to my scientific mentor, and my guide for life, Prof. Zvia Breznitz, for teaching me the world of science. The author would like to thank J. Denise Wetzel, CCHMC Medical Writer, for editing and references management. The author is the Career Advanced Chair, of the The Educational Neuroimaging Center, Faculty of Education in Sciences and Technology, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Israel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Educational Neuroimaging Center, The Faculty of Education in Sciences and Technology, Technion, Haifa, Israel

    Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus

  2. Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus

  3. Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus

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  1. Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus
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Correspondence to Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Cent, University of Haifa, Haifa, Haifa, Israel

    Asaid Khateb

  2. German Inst for Int'l Edu Res (DIPF, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Irit Bar-Kochva

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Horowitz-Kraus, T. (2016). The Role of Executive Functions in the Reading Process. In: Khateb, A., Bar-Kochva, I. (eds) Reading Fluency. Literacy Studies, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30478-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30478-6_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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