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Genetics of Reading Ability and Its Role in Solving Reading Difficulties

Abstract

Reading is a heritable and biologically endowed ability that is enabled by the exaptation of genetic sub-skills that are readily available as language and object recognition abilities. The significant role of genes in biological processes such as the formation and plasticity of the specialized neural networks that accompany reading, the role of epigenetic modification of genes in reading, and the reciprocal effect of emotion and cognition in reading are discussed in this chapter. With due consideration of the genetic make-up of individuals, its effect on formation of the neural circuits corresponding to reading and the gene–environment interaction, the chapter proposes how knowledge of these aspects of a reader is pertinent to providing effective pedagogical solutions.

Keywords

  • Reading genes
  • Neural plasticity
  • Epigenetics
  • Cognition
  • Affect
  • Personalized learning

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Correspondence to R. Joseph Ponniah .

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Sriganesh, R., Rahul, D.R., Ponniah, R.J. (2018). Genetics of Reading Ability and Its Role in Solving Reading Difficulties. In: Ponniah, R., Venkatesan, S. (eds) The Idea and Practice of Reading. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8572-7_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8572-7_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-8571-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-8572-7

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)