Subtypes of developmental reading disorders: recent developments and directions for treatment

This paper presents an overview of several subtypes of developmental reading disorders including phonological dyslexia, surface dyslexia, hyperlexia, poor comprehenders, and the less-recognised subtypes of letter position dyslexia and attentional dyslexia. Although clinicians may be familiar with the symptoms of phonological and surface dyslexia, the symptoms of the other reading disorders noted may be less familiar and therefore methods of assessment and directions for treatment may be unclear. Each subtype is described and accounted for in the context of the dual route theory of reading. Current research on remediation strategies is also surveyed, providing a basis for developing treatment programs for both pure and complex developmental reading disorders.