Genetic source of reading disability and a proposal to use nlsy-children to study genetic and environmental influences on reading disability

Reading disability, also known as dyslexia, is defined as difficulty in learning to read despite adequate intelligence, customary instruction, and typical patterns of family and social support. It can have a major influence on the cognitive, emotional, and social development of affected individuals. Depending on the defining criteria, reading disability affects 5-15% of school children (Paulesu et al., 2001; Shaywitz et al., 1998) and accounts for more than 80% of all learning disabilities (Lerner, 1989). Reading disability is the most common neuro-behavioral disorder that affects children and is a major social, educational, and mental health problem.