An investigation of reading difficulty in young children.

The purpose of this study has been to assess historical and test material in order to arrive at a basis for making an early diagnosis of reading difficulty in young children. An intensive study of 24 children with reading difficulty has provided the basis for the following conclusions: 1. A careful medical history which explores the family background for reading problems and problems of lateral dominance, and which makes inquiry into the details of pregnancy and early development can contribute significantly to the diagnosis of reading difficulty. The majority of the children with reading difficulty were found to show a family history characterized by reading problems and/or laterality other than right in 2 or more generations. Atypical pregnancy, birth, or neonatal development was characteristic of other children with reading difficulty and subtle central nervous system dysfunction seems likely to be a factor in the reading performance of these children. 2. Stress reactions in otherwise healthy, intellig...