Audiovisual integration and cognitive control supporting reading fluency

The ability to integrate information from the auditory and visual sensory systems, also referred to as audiovisual integration (and as synchronization), is important for reading fluency. Several studies have pointed to atypical synchronization of the auditory and visual systems in individuals with reading difficulties, which in turn may help to explain their dysfluent reading and have been supported by neuroimaging evidence. This inefficient synchronization between the modalities has also been thought to be attributed to top-down (executive functions) and bottom-up (print characteristics) processes. Interestingly, a rhythmic reading training manipulation seems to be effective in enhancing this audiovisual integration (or synchronization) by triggering executive functions in affected readers and improving their reading fluency. Here we discuss the theories that underlie audiovisual integration (or synchronization), executive functions, the connections to reading fluency, and provide an overview of the literature related to neuroimaging of visual versus auditory-based rhythmic reading training.