The Neuropsychology of Learning Disabilities

Abstract

Abstract: This critical review of the association between learning disabilities (LD) and neurological irnpairrnent ranges from functional studies of the normal brain (PET, fMRI) during reading to studies of neurological signs, soft signs, autopsies, studies of structural (MRI, CT) and functional ahnormalities in dyslexics. Reference is also made to the role of neurological signs for the adult outcome of LD, including academic as weil as personal achievement and adjustment outcome. It is concluded that the presence of neurological signs, including soft signs, is associated with most forms of learning disability. The poor stability of subtypes during childhood and poor outcome at adult age for some subtypes poses a challenge for further research. Future studies may be able to find a better fit between subtypes of LID and neurological abnormalities, on the one hand, and to adolescent and adult outcome on the other.