SUMMARY: An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan may reveal brain structures that are different in people with dyslexia. This could provide an early diagnostic tool to catch the condition in children before they start school.
By Nicole Stevens | Posted: August 15, 2013
Scientists may have discovered a new tool to help diagnose dyslexia in preschoolers, allowing early intervention before kids run into reading problems and get behind at school. A certain type of MRI can show specific brain structures that are altered in people with dyslexia.
CNET News reports on the work of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston Children's Hospital. The scientists were using MRI brain scans as part of a study on pre-reading skills in children, when they discovered that kids with dyslexia showed altered brain configurations. A particular structure called the arcuate fasciculus (say that five times fast!) is smaller and less organized when dyslexia is present.
The researchers confirmed a correlation between the size of the arcuate fasciculus and a person's phonological awareness, which is the ability to process and manipulate language sounds. That can play a huge role in reading abilities and school success.
According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, dyslexia is a common learning disability, occurring in up to 15 percent of Americans. It affects people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, economic states, and intelligence levels. Current methods of handling dyslexia usually involve noticing which children have reading struggles in school after they've fallen far behind their classmates. It is then a scramble to "catch up" developmentally and socially, and some kids never do. Without early intervention, the condition can cause lifelong trouble.
But what if doctors could catch dyslexia in preschoolers, before a child ever started trying to read? A simple brain scan could show the characteristic brain structure and alert parents to a possible situation. Educators could employ alternate teaching methods from the beginning and potentially help a child cope with dyslexia before it ever became a problem.
That scenario is lovely, but of course there's the issue of cost. MRI scans aren't cheap. And not everyone may have access to a scanner. This research will undoubtedly be repeated and validated before the scans become mainstream.
But still, since dyslexia is known to have genetic ties, it may be useful in families where the condition is common. If Uncle Joe and Cousin Mabel and Sister Susie all have dyslexia, it might be helpful to get a quick scan for Brother Bobby before he starts kindergarten. Early diagnosis and swift intervention could save years of struggle, frustration, and trouble for a developing child.
Do you know anyone that has dyslexia? How was it discovered and treated? Share experiences below.
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