One year after scientists discovered a gene whose flaw contributes to dyslexia, two more such genes have now been identified.

The findings, described yesterday in Salt Lake City at a meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, support the idea that many people deemed simply lazy or stupid because of their severe reading problems may instead have a genetic disorder that interfered with the wiring of their brains before birth.

"I am ecstatic about this research," said Dr. Albert M. Galaburda of Harvard Medical School, a leading authority on developmental disorders who was not involved in the latest discoveries.

The findings, added to last year's, mean that for the first time, "we have a link between genes, brain development and a complex behavioral syndrome," Dr. Galaburda said.