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 estimat
es of heritability for group deficits on several reading and language measu
res. Structural equation modeling techniques reveal the presence of signifi
cant common and independent genetic effects on individual differences on re
ading skills. Finally, linkage techniques confirm a candidate locus for RD
on chromosome 6.