Motor Deficits That May Cause Reading Problems

Abstract

It is well known that learning problems tend to be associated with motor deficits. However, no relationships between specific cortical deficits and learning have been described to indicate a possible cause and effect relationship. We now postulate that dysfunctions in those cortical sensorimotor areas of the brain that control internal speech may adversely affect the learning of reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic, especially in children who are first learning these skills. Correlations between arithmetic scores and copying geometrical designs are attributed to any underlying, unstable relationship between visual stimuli and their evoked brain wave responses in many cases. Other lerning skills may be affected in a similar manner. Finally, a case of poor arithmetic skills in a graduate student was found to be associated with poor interhemispheric communication via the commissures.