Reading disability: Evidence for a genetic etiology

A review of evidence for genetic influences on reading disabilities (RD) is presented, with focus on twin study design and sib-pair linkage techniques. DeFries-Fulker multiple regression analyses result in significant estimates of heritability for group deficits on several reading and language measures. Structural equation modeling techniques reveal the presence of significant common and independent genetic effects on individual differences on reading skills. Finally, linkage techniques confirm a candidate locus for RD on chromosome 6.