Mixed Dominant (Cross Dominant)

What is mixed dominance? (Cross Dominance)

As a child develops one side of the brain will become more dominant for motor activities. When this does not happen the brain operates less efficiently. This leads to more difficulty learning.

Most people have one side of their body more dominant than the other. For example, if a person is right-handed they will likely also be right eye dominant.

If a dominant side has not developed this is called being mixed dominant (or cross dominant)

If you’re right-handed, chances are you do everything with your right hand. You write, brush your teeth, eat, and just about everything else with your right hand.  You may not have noticed, but it is likely that you have stronger sight in your right eye. You likely have stronger hearing in your right ear. You lead more often with your right foot.

• So if you use a telescope you’ll probably put it to your right eye.
• If you want to hear something you’ll probably turn your right ear towards it.
• If you want to kick a ball you’ll probably kick with your right foot.

This is actually a sign of a well developed and well-balanced brain. Brains develop dominance for efficiency.

Mixed Dominance (Cross Dominance) 
Cross dominance is when someone does not develop one-sided dominance. Motor dominance is mixed.

A mixed dominant person may exhibit “mixed handedness”. Or they may be dominant in one hand but in the opposite eye (or foot). Dominance is not all on one side. It is mixed.

Someone with cross dominance may even switch dominance depending on the task. For example, they may write with the right hand but eat with the left hand.

There are many possible manifestations of mixed dominance. So it’s easiest to understand as lacking a dominant side.

Children and Cross Dominance
Having a child who is mixed-handed may seems like a benign physical talent. But recent studies have found that it is associated with learning challenges.

Mixed-handed children are  “more likely to suffer from language and learning problems, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), than their right- or left-handed peers.”

Does your child exhibit mixed dominance and have learning challenges? The two may be linked.  And the answer to the learning challenges could be fixing the motor difficulties. Fix them with proprioceptive exercise.

 

Where does cross dominance come from?

According to a 2009 study, cross dominance is likely the result of brains that are “imbalanced and not developing properly.”

This is related to a concept called functional disconnection syndrome. FDS is a naturally occurring disconnect in the brain not related to any kind of trauma or surgery. The different hemispheres of brains with this syndrome don’t communicate properly. Or sometimes not at the correct speed. this causes miscommunications and longer processing time.

FDS is thought to be caused when one side of the brain develops faster than the other.  It has been theorized as being the cause of autism and dyslexia. Early treatment is recommended. 

Bilateral coordination exercises will balance the hemispheres and increase connectivity

Cross dominance and learning disabilities

A cross dominant brain seems to be an inefficient brain. Studies have shown a correlation between cross dominance and learning difficulties. Some theories state that this is due to less activity in the corpus callosum. the connection between brain hemispheres. 

Practitioners have used and recommended cross-lateral exercises to correct this. Decades of practitioner use of the methods have shown benefits.

Information processing in the brain uses both hemispheres.

For example.

1. Processing sounds typically happens in the left hemisphere.
2. Processing the meaning of those sounds typically happens in the left hemisphere.
3. We need a strong connection to process words and their meanings together.

Without a strong connection, information processing is inefficient.   When information takes longer to process learning is a struggle. It may express as a developmental delay. Or a specific learning disability such as dyslexia or dyscalculia.

Mixed dominance causes the brain to be disorganized. With information and responses scattered over both sides. Think of it as a filing cabinet — if it’s organized well, in alphabetical order, it’s easy to find a file. Files in a disorganized and unalphabetized cabinet will take much longer to find. 

Neural pathways are less developed. So slower and less efficient.

Signs and symptoms of cross dominance

A 2010 study showed that children with mixed dominance are more likely to have language and scholastic issues. It also showed that they may have ADHD symptoms.

Cross dominance may affect the eyes. This could cause dyslexia symptoms.  They may confuse printed letters and words (b and d, saw and was). 

This would affect reading comprehension.

Information may come from opposite sides. Such as reading with the dominant right eye while listening with the dominant left ear. Reading the blackboard and listening to the teacher. The information will be going to opposite sides of the brain. That means the brain has to work extra hard to get the two messages synced. 

In fact, cross dominance can explain many learning behaviors such as:

Misplacing objects.

• A tendency to rotate papers strangely.
• A tendency to rotate the head when writing.
• Switching or difficulty reading and writing the left and right sides of letters.
• Constant indecisiveness.
• Poor handwriting.
• Difficulty with organization, motor movements, and performing tasks that cross the body midline.

ProprioceptionThese skills rely on our spatial sense. Our spatial sense unites our senses. This is why proprioceptive exercises are so effective at treating this condition.

What to do with a cross dominant child?

Cross dominance isn’t synonymous with ambidextrous. Ambidextrous is due to highly developing both sides. A dominant side is chosen first. Then the other side developed to match it.

Being cross dominant doesn’t mean both sides are equally strong. It is more about a dominant side not being developed.

It does mean that someone with cross dominance has a uniquely built brain. This will likely result in unique strengths. So watch for them.

Cross lateral motions are extremely helpful for the cross dominant student. These are motions which build proprioception by crossing the midline of the body. This strengthens the corpus callosum. The connector between the brain hemispheres. This strengthening helps the brain work in a more integrated fashion.

The Learning Success System contains many cross lateral exercises. These will help the cross dominant student. It also includes exercises designed to help with the components of learning. 

Increase your child’s natural learning ability with the Learning Success System. Your child will enjoy better grades and increased confidence.

You will enjoy seeing your child succeed.

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Understanding Cross Dominance and Its Relation to Learning Disabilities: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

As a parent, watching your child struggle in school can be both heartbreaking and confusing. Conditions like dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia can make learning feel like an uphill battle, impacting not only academic performance but also self-esteem. One factor that may contribute to these challenges is cross dominance, also known as mixed dominance, where a child uses different sides of their body for different tasks (e.g., right hand for writing, left eye for reading). While not a direct cause of learning disabilities, research suggests a correlation that parents should understand to better support their children. This article explores cross dominance, its potential link to learning disabilities, and practical strategies to help your child thrive, drawing on insights from Learning Success and other research.

What is Cross Dominance?

Cross dominance occurs when a person does not consistently use one side of their body for tasks involving hands, eyes, feet, or ears. For example:

• A child might write with their right hand but kick a ball with their left foot.
• They may prefer their left eye for reading but their right ear for listening.

Development and Prevalence

As children grow, one side of the brain typically becomes dominant for motor activities, streamlining communication between the brain’s hemispheres. In mixed dominance, this specialization is less clear, leading to less efficient neural pathways. Approximately 10-20% of people exhibit some form of mixed dominance, though exact numbers vary depending on how it’s measured (Mixed Dominant). This inefficiency can make processing information more challenging, potentially contributing to learning difficulties.

Symptoms of Cross Dominance

Children with mixed dominance may show signs such as:

• Misplacing objects frequently.
• Rotating papers or tilting their head when writing.
• Difficulty distinguishing left from right or confusing letters like “b” and “d.”
• Poor handwriting or inconsistent motor movements.
• Struggles with tasks that cross the body’s midline (e.g., touching the left knee with the right hand).

These symptoms can overlap with those of learning disabilities, making it important to identify and address them early.

Cross Dominance and Learning Disabilities

Research indicates a correlation between mixed dominance and learning disabilities, though the exact relationship remains under investigation. Below, we explore key findings and how mixed dominance might affect learning.

Research Insights

• A 2010 study in Pediatrics found that mixed-dominant children are more likely to have language and scholastic issues, as well as ADHD symptoms, compared to their left- or right-handed peers (Mixed-Handedness Study).
• A 2009 study linked cross dominance to Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS), where the brain’s hemispheres do not communicate effectively, potentially contributing to conditions like dyslexia (FDS Study).
• Mixed dominance can affect visual processing, leading to dyslexia symptoms like confusing “saw” and “was” or reversing letters, which impacts reading comprehension.

Mechanisms of Impact

Mixed dominance can disrupt brain organization in several ways:

• Disorganized Processing: Without a dominant hemisphere, information processing can be scattered, like searching through a disorganized filing cabinet (Mixed Dominant).
• Slower Neural Pathways: Less developed connections between hemispheres can slow down information processing, making learning tasks more effortful.
• Cognitive Processing Challenges: Mixed dominance may affect auditory and visual processing, critical for reading, writing, and math. For example:
  • Auditory Processing: Difficulty distinguishing sounds (e.g., “bat” vs. “pat”) can hinder phonological awareness, a key issue in dyslexia (Auditory Processing).
  • Visual Processing: Inconsistent eye dominance can lead to problems with visual tracking or letter recognition, affecting reading and writing (Visual Processing).

While mixed dominance does not directly cause learning disabilities, it may exacerbate underlying challenges, particularly in children already predisposed to these conditions.

Understanding Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia

To grasp how cross dominance relates to learning disabilities, it’s essential to understand the characteristics of dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

Dyslexia

• Definition: Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects reading, writing, and spelling due to difficulties in processing language, not a lack of intelligence (Dyslexia).
• Symptoms:
  • Trouble with phonological awareness (e.g., blending sounds to form words).
  • Slow reading and poor comprehension.
  • Confusion with similar letters or words (e.g., “b” vs. “d,” “saw” vs. “was”).
• Link to Cross Dominance: Inconsistent eye or ear dominance can contribute to visual and auditory processing issues, making it harder to decode words or follow text.

Dyscalculia

• Definition: Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability in mathematics, characterized by difficulties in understanding numbers and math concepts (Dyscalculia).
• Symptoms:
  • Difficulty connecting numbers to quantities (e.g., “5” means five objects).
  • Struggles with counting, comparing amounts, or understanding place value.
  • Trouble memorizing math facts (e.g., multiplication tables).
  • High anxiety around math tasks.
• Link to Cross Dominance: Mixed dominance may affect spatial reasoning and number sense, critical for math, by disrupting hand-eye coordination or visual-spatial processing.

Dysgraphia

• Definition: Dysgraphia involves difficulties in writing and fine motor skills, often resulting in poor handwriting and challenges organizing thoughts on paper (Dysgraphia).
• Symptoms:
  • Illegible handwriting with irregular letter sizes and shapes.
  • Frequent spelling and punctuation errors.
  • Slow, labored writing with an unusual pencil grip.
• Link to Cross Dominance: Inconsistent hand-eye coordination can make writing physically challenging and affect the ability to organize text spatially.

Learning Disability	Primary Challenge	Key Symptoms	Cross Dominance Impact
Dyslexia	Reading and language processing	Letter reversals, slow reading, poor comprehension	Affects visual/auditory processing, e.g., letter confusion
Dyscalculia	Math and number sense	Trouble with counting, place value, math facts	Impacts spatial reasoning and number visualization
Dysgraphia	Writing and fine motor skills	Poor handwriting, spelling errors, slow writing	Disrupts eye-brain-hand coordination

The Role of Cognitive Processing Skills

Cognitive processing skills, or “micro-skills,” are the foundational abilities that support learning tasks like reading, writing, and math. These include:

• Auditory Processing: Interpreting sounds, such as distinguishing “bat” from “pat” (Auditory Processing).
• Visual Processing: Recognizing and interpreting visual information, like tracking text or identifying shapes (Visual Processing).
• Memory Skills: Recalling auditory or visual information.
• Spatial Reasoning: Understanding spatial relationships, crucial for math and writing.

Weaknesses in these skills can contribute to learning disabilities:

• Dyslexia: Often linked to deficits in auditory processing (e.g., phonological awareness) or visual processing (e.g., tracking text).
• Dyscalculia: Involves challenges in spatial reasoning and number sense (Number Sense).
• Dysgraphia: Related to poor visual-motor integration and memory, affecting handwriting and organization.

Cross dominance can exacerbate these weaknesses by creating inefficiencies in brain communication, particularly when tasks require coordination between hemispheres. For example, a child with mixed hand-eye dominance may struggle with visual tracking, making reading more difficult.

Neuroplasticity: A Path to Improvement

The brain’s ability to adapt, known as neuroplasticity, offers hope for children with learning disabilities. Neuroplasticity allows neurons to form new connections, while neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons) supports cognitive development (Neuroplasticity). This means that with targeted practice, children can strengthen their cognitive skills and overcome challenges.

How Neuroplasticity Helps

• Daily practice of cognitive skills can lead to significant improvements over time.
• Exercises that target specific weaknesses (e.g., auditory memory, visual tracking) can enhance academic performance.
• Programs like the Brain Bloom System use neuroplasticity to build foundational learning skills through structured activities.

Key Activities

• Proprioceptive Exercises: Improve body awareness and brain connectivity (Proprioception).
• Bilateral Coordination Exercises: Balance the brain’s hemispheres, such as cross-lateral movements (e.g., touching the opposite knee with a hand).
• Cognitive Skill Training: Activities targeting auditory processing, visual processing, and number sense.

Practical Strategies for Parents

Parents are crucial in helping children with mixed dominance and learning disabilities succeed. Here are actionable strategies:

1. Identify Dominance Patterns

• Test your child’s hand, eye, foot, and ear dominance to understand their profile. For example, to test eye dominance, have them point at a distant object with both eyes open, then close one eye at a time. The eye that keeps the object aligned is dominant (Mixed Dominance and Dyslexia).
• Observe symptoms like letter reversals or difficulty with midline-crossing tasks.

2. Build on Strengths

• Focus on your child’s strengths rather than trying to “fix” mixed dominance.
• Engage in activities that cross the body’s midline, such as jumping jacks or clapping hands across the body, to improve brain integration.

3. Strengthen Cognitive Skills

• Use targeted exercises to address specific weaknesses:
  • Auditory Processing: Play listening games or use programs like Attentive Ear to improve sound discrimination and memory.
  • Visual Processing: Practice visual puzzles or tracking exercises to enhance skills like visual closure (Visual Closure).
  • Number Sense: Engage in math games or real-life activities like cooking to build number sense (Number Sense).

4. Leverage Neuroplasticity

• Enroll in programs that promote brain development, such as:
  • Brain Bloom System: Offers exercises for foundational learning skills ($49/month, $297/year).
  • 5-Minute Reading Fix: Improves reading fluency and comprehension ($39/month, $199/year).
  • All Access Membership: Includes multiple programs for comprehensive support ($69/month, $397/year).

5. Make Learning Engaging

• Connect learning to real-life situations, such as measuring ingredients for cooking (math) or reading recipes (language).
• Use educational apps or games to make practice fun and interactive.

6. Foster a Growth Mindset

• Emphasize that skills improve with effort and practice (Growth Mindset).
• Celebrate small successes to boost confidence and reduce anxiety.

7. Seek Professional Support

• Consider assessments to identify specific learning disabilities (Dyslexia Test, Dyscalculia Test).
• Work with specialized tutors, such as those at Dyslexia Tutors or Dyscalculia Tutors.

Conclusion

Cross dominance may contribute to learning challenges by affecting brain organization and cognitive processing, potentially exacerbating conditions like dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. However, with the right strategies, parents can help their children overcome these obstacles. By understanding your child’s unique needs, leveraging neuroplasticity, and using resources like those from Learning Success, you can support their academic and emotional growth. With patience and persistence, your child can build the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Key Citations

• Mixed Dominant (Cross Dominant) – Learning Success
• Dyslexia – Learning Success
• Dyscalculia – Learning Success
• Dysgraphia – Learning Success
• Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity – Learning Success
• Cognitive Micro-Skills – Learning Success
• Auditory Processing – Learning Success
• Visual Processing Disorder – Learning Success
• Number Sense – Learning Success
• Proprioception – Learning Success
• Brain Bloom Educational Therapy – Learning Success
• Attentive Ear Auditory Processing Program – Learning Success
• 5-Minute Reading Fix – Learning Success
• Growth Mindset Course – Learning Success
• Dyslexia Test – Learning Success
• Dyscalculia Test – Learning Success
• All Access Membership – Learning Success
• Mixed-Handedness Is Linked to Mental Health Problems in Adolescents – Pediatrics
• Functional Disconnection Syndrome Study – PubMed
• Mixed Dominance and Dyslexia: Is There a Link? – Florence Callender
• Dyslexia Tutors – Dyslexia Teachers
• Dyscalculia Tutors – Dyslexia Teachers