What is cross-dominance?

Cross-dominance is also known as mixed-handedness and occurs when a person favours one hand for certain tasks and the opposite hand for other things. For example, a mixed-handed person might write with their right hand and do everything else with the left one.

Cross-dominance may also be known as mixed laterality, which refers to a person favouring motor skills on one side of the body, including a foot, eye and/ or ear. A person who is cross-dominant may also be stronger on the opposite side of the body that they prefer. A right-handed person may be stronger on the left side.
 

How does the brain cause cross-dominance?

Cross-dominance is noticeable in children and those who demonstrate it are likely to have brains that are imbalanced and have not yet developed properly. Brain speed is slowed in cases of mixed dominance due to miscommunication or a longer processing time.

If the dominant eye and ear are on opposite sides, vision circuits have to jump to the other side of the brain to connect to the listening circuits. Therefore, some people cannot read and listen at the same time.
 

What challenges are associated with cross-dominance?

There is a link between cross-dominance and developmental delays in children where they may find that they have difficulty developing certain skills. A lack of hemisphere development on the left side of the brain could lead to delays in mastering vocabulary, grammar and language. On the right side, a lack of development may cause problems with reading.
 

What is the difference between mixed-handedness and ambidexterity?

Whilst both require the use of both hands, a person who is ambidextrous can perform any task equally well with either hand, which includes the ability to write. Mixed-handedness means that a person favours a certain hand for a certain task, which requires a certain amount of dexterity but it lacks in strength.