Scimex: Developmental dyslexia - characterised by trouble reading despite a
normal intelligence - is a condition that runs in families and has a
genetic basis, which means it is often assumed that nothing can be done
to treat it. Now, a UK expert has rejected that notion and argued that
educational interventions could help improve the reading skills of
individuals suffering from the condition. Children's reading difficulties are not just caused by poor teaching;
they often run in families and have a genetic basis. A common
misunderstanding of such evidence is the idea there is a 'dyslexia' gene
that can be used in screening. This is unrealistic because the genetic
influences are complex, and involve the combined effect of many genetic
variants, each of which has a small influence. Furthermore, people often
assume that a genetic basis means nothing can be done. That is not the
case: just as we can treat genetically-based visual problem with
spectacles, so we should be able to treat reading problems with tailored
educational interventions.
