Research with intellectually average underachievers indicates that reading problems are often associated with neuropsychological deficits. The present study investigated this relationship for intellectually superior (IQ ≥ 120) males. Twenty reading achievers and twenty reading underachievers, controlled for age (8 to 12), socioeconomic status (SES), medical history, and emotional problems were compared on a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. The results revealed significant global (p < .01) and specific (p < .05) differences in favor of achievers. These findings indicate that neuropsychological deficits are associated with reading underachievement among intellectually superior male underachievers. Practical implications are discussed.
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