SYNDROMES OF ACQUIRED DYSLEXIA AND PATTERNS OF RECOVERY - A 6-YEAR TO10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF 7 BRAIN-INJURED PEOPLE

Seven subjects who were neurologically impaired following encephalitis (n=2), head injury (n=3), and stroke (n=2) were referred several year s previously because of acquired dyslexia. Two were almost totally ale xic, 2 were surface dyslexic, 2 were deep dyslexic and 1 was a letter- by-letter reader. Following a period of rehabilitation, the 2 with ale xia became surface dyslexic and letter-by-letter readers; 1 of the dee p dyslexics showed some improvements but remained a deep dyslexic; and the letter-by-letter reader learned to read more quickly. At follow-u p, 6 to 10 years later, there had been little significant change. The 2 subjects whose alexia resolved into surface dyslexia with letter-by- letter reading had increased their reading ages but remained surface d yslexic and letter-by-letter readers. The subject who had been a lette r-by-letter reader was faster at easier and more frequently used words but slower at harder, less frequently used words. Changes in the othe r 4 subjects were negligible. Implications for rehabilitation are disc ussed.