Improve Dyslexia by Strengthening the Cerebellum
Dyslexia is a widely discussed topic, often approached in a systematic, linear way through structured reading programs. These methods focus on improving left-brain connectivity, as this is where reading typically occurs. While this approach is effective for many children, it doesn’t work for everyone—and that’s where cerebellar function comes into play.
Recent research supports the Cerebellar Deficit Hypothesis, which suggests that dysfunction in the right cerebellum plays a significant role in reading difficulties. In my experience working with children who struggle with dyslexia, those who don’t respond well to traditional interventions often show underdeveloped cerebellar function. Strengthening this area of the brain can lead to substantial improvements in reading skills and overall cognitive function.
How the Cerebellum Influences Reading Ability
The right cerebellum coordinates the left hemisphere of the brain—the side responsible for reading. If the cerebellum is dysfunctional, the left hemisphere cannot operate efficiently, leading to:
Poor coordination of thoughts, speech, phonetics, and sequencing
Difficulty with eye tracking and visual perception
Slower processing speed and comprehension
Interestingly, while this study does not specifically discuss eye tracking issues, other research supports the idea that abnormal cerebellar function affects visual input and perception. This aligns with what I see in practice: many children with dyslexia struggle with eye movement control, making it harder to track words across a page smoothly.
Unfortunately, the role of the cerebellum is often overlooked in dyslexia treatment, despite clear evidence linking cerebellar health to reading ability. However, I have seen remarkable improvements in reading skills when we focus on strengthening this critical area of the brain.
Key Findings from Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
A study titled “Current Perspectives on the Cerebellum and Reading Development”, published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, examines the relationship between cerebellar function and dyslexia.
1. Children with Dyslexia Often Show Sensory-Motor Impairments
The study found that many children with dyslexia also struggle with:
Poor balance
Lack of coordination
Slower information processing
These are all functions of the cerebellum—and I frequently see these same patterns in clinical practice. More importantly, I have found that when we improve sensory-motor function, reading ability also improves.
2. The Cerebellum’s Role in Speech and Automatic Word Recognition
The cerebellum contributes to reading in two key ways:
Articulatory and Phonological Ability – Difficulty in articulatory fluency can interfere with speech-based processes necessary for reading development.
Skill Automatization – If the cerebellar learning system is impaired, recognizing printed words doesn’t become automatic, making reading a constant challenge.
Because the cerebellum helps coordinate speech motor control, any dysfunction in this area can make phonological processing more difficult.
3. Reduced Connectivity Between the Cerebellum and Reading Centers
The study also analyzed brain connectivity during reading tasks and found that:
Both neurotypical and dyslexic children showed synchrony between the left inferior frontal gyrus and the right cerebellum.
However, children with dyslexia exhibited significantly lower synchrony, indicating weaker cerebellar coordination.
Additionally, brain scans revealed weaker white matter tracts connecting the cerebellum to three key reading-related brain regions:
Inferior frontal cortex (important for phonological processing)
Temporal-parietal cortex (critical for decoding words)
Occipito-temporal cortex (involved in word recognition)
In short, children with dyslexia had abnormalities in the pathways linking the cerebellum to essential reading centers in the brain.
A Missing Piece in Dyslexia Intervention
This research supports what I have seen in practice: current dyslexia interventions should include cerebellar development programs alongside structured reading programs. Specifically, strengthening the right cerebellum can enhance the efficiency of the left hemisphere and improve reading fluency, comprehension, and phonetic skills.
Final Thoughts
Dyslexia is more than just a reading difficulty—it’s a neurological challenge involving multiple areas of the brain. Research continues to highlight the importance of the cerebellum in developing strong reading skills. By incorporating motor development strategies and cerebellar stimulation, we can help children improve their reading abilities and overall cognitive function.
If you’re working with a child who has dyslexia or other reading challenges, consider evaluating their cerebellar function. The results could be life-changing.
References:
Travis A. Alvarez, Julie A. Fiez. Current perspectives on the cerebellum and reading development. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 2018 pages 55-66.
Fan Cao, Xin Yan, Gregory J. Spray, Yanni Liu and Yuan Deng. Brain Mechanisms Underlying Visuo-orthographic Deficits in Children with developmental dyslexia. Frontiers of human Neuroscience. 2018
Roderick I. Nicolson, Angela J. Fawcett. Developmental Dyslexia: the Delayed Neural Commitment Framwork. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. May 2019.
Thomas D. W. Wilcockson, Diako Mardanbegi. Oculomotor and Inhibitory control in Dyslexia. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. January 2019