title: The development of the lateral functions and reading ability.
abstract: This study demonstrates a relationship between the development of two progressive processes: (1) language function in the brain, and (2) reading ability. The data suggest that different degrees of hemispheric asymmetry for speech appear to be advantageous as the various phases of reading are approached. The progression of laterality appears to be from little asymmetry between the right and left ears (ambilaterality) in the earliest learning-to-read stages (at 5, 6 and 7 years of age) when both sides of the brain are necessary for the vast amount of visual-spatial as well as linguistic information which must be processed, to a maximum asymmetry in the later, fluent reading stage (in those 8 years and older) when the language side of the brain, usually the left, appears to be specialized for this skill.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, The University of Connecticut, Storrs 06268, USA.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Sadick
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ginsburg
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004007:Dichotic Listening Tests; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011932:Reading