What is Resilient Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a reading disorder characterized by a difficulty in navigating between the visual form and sounds of a written language. Resilient dyslexics differ in that, they exhibit remarkably high levels of reading comprehension despite difficulties in being able to decode language.

It is uncertain how certain individuals with dyslexia are able to overcome their low decoding abilities and extract meaning from written language.

A new study identifies the brain mechanism that accounts for the discrepancy between low decoding skills and high reading comprehension.

What does research suggest about those with Resilient Dyslexia?

The research points to a larger volume of gray matter in resilient readers in the part of the brain responsible for executive functions and working memory. This specific region of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the left hemisphere is known as the conductor of the brain. Gray matter is the darker tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of nerve cell bodies.

The researchers seemed to find that that the density of neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the left hemisphere predated mature reading ability and predicted the discrepancy, regardless of their initial reading abilities. This seems to suggest that it is not reading strategies that built their resistance but rather a predisposition in their brain.

The Takeaway

Understanding all forms of dyslexia including Resilient Dyslexia is important because it can help us think to incorporate new strategies into reading interventions for children.

Much of the curriculum of kindergarten reading readiness is focused on learning sounds of a letter and phonological awareness. Studies like this, suggest that new approaches that emphasize executive functions and working memory can be powerful in helping your children with dyslexia grow. Consider activities that require working memory, such as baking cakes and playing song and strategy games. These activities stimulate children’s working memory and may in time foster their ability to comprehend texts well.