Athetoid quadriplegia and literacy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare literacy levels in athetoid quadriplegic (AQ) patients born in the 1960s and 1970s with those born in the 1980s and 1990s.


METHODS
Nine patients with AQ born between 1966 and 1972 were compared with eight patients born between 1983 and 1991.


RESULTS
Reading difficulties were found in almost all patients with AQ, despite normal intellect. Those in the earlier period were for the most part functionally literate, while those in the later period were functionally illiterate.


CONCLUSIONS
Specific and intensive reading education may be required in patients with AQ to obtain functional literacy.
The Crippled Children's Association, Regency Park, South Australia, Australia.
S
S
Beal
H
H
Zeitz
T
T
Connell
M
M
Zschorn
D001264:Athetosis / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000175:diagnosis; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index