Glen Ellyn — This is regarding "Scientists offer hope for poor readers; New strategies can help rewire brain" (Page 1, May 2), by Ronald Kotulak, Tribune science reporter. This article provided a major service to your readers by informing them of some of the important brain research being done about reading disabilities. The hope the research currently offers is clear proof there is a physical basis for reading disability--kids and adults so afflicted are not being lazy or simply not trying.
Reading disability is also highly inheritable. Future research may result in biological interventions that will benefit afflicted individuals.
In the meantime, the only effective intervention is educational. Instruction in phonics that is structured, sequential, systematic and explicit in approach facilitates learning to read in most cases.