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Research Articles
 
 

The Impact of Reading Intervention on Brain Responses Underlying Language in Children With Autism

Murdaugh, D. L., Deshpande, H. D. & Kana, R. K. (2015). The Impact of Reading Intervention on Brain Responses Underlying Language in Children With Autism. Autism Research, 9, 141-154. doi:10.1002/aur.1503

Background

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Psychology and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes conducted a randomized controlled trial involving children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This experiment investigated the constructs of Dual Coding Theory (DCT) using the Visualizing and Verbalizing (V/V) program to develop oral and written language comprehension. Translational functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to study the effect of V/V on sentence comprehension, brain activation, and functional connectivity. Children with ASD typically have weaker connectivity, or underconnectivity, in the areas of the brain associated with language. Before and after instruction, children’s brains were scanned and they were administered a reading comprehension test. A similar group of children with ASD went through the same procedures but did not receive V/V instruction (i.e., control group). Children in the V/V group received approximately 200 hours of instruction over a 10 week period of time. Instruction was delivered by specially trained Lindamood-Bell staff. The figure below shows increased brain connectivity between Broca’s and Wernicke’s language areas for the V/V group (thicker blue line) compared to control group (thinner yellow line) during a task of visual imagery sentence comprehension. The thickness of the lines represents the magnitude of connectivity between the two brain areas.

Results

The strength of connectivity was significantly greater (p < .05) for the V/V group. In addition, the V/V group also had a significantly larger change (p = .05) in reading comprehension than the control group (13.9% and 3.9% respectively). Furthermore, researchers found a significant positive correlation between improvements in reading comprehension and brain activation. The results of this study illustrate that instruction in the Visualizing and Verbalizing program supports the Dual Coding Theory model of cognition, leading to greater brain connectivity and improved comprehension for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

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Join Us at the International Dyslexia Association 2026 Annual Reading, Literacy & Learning Conference

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

Our next milestone takes us across the globe!

🌏 1996: Our first international Seasonal Learning Center opens in Sydney, Australia.

This milestone meant more students and families could experience Lindamood-Bell instruction, helping students strengthen their reading skills and learn to their potential.

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning and the milestones that brought us here.

Learn more about Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning Our next milestone takes us across the globe! 🌏 1996: Our first international Seasonal Learning Center opens in Sydney, Australia. This milestone meant more students and families could experience Lindamood-Bell instruction, helping students strengthen their reading skills and learn to their potential. Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning and the milestones that brought us here. Learn more about Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

Our journey through 40 years of Lindamood-Bell continues with a milestone from 1993.

1993: The first Lindamood-Bell International Conference is held in Shell Beach, California.

In addition to program workshops, attendees had the opportunity to hear from professionals and scholars in the fields of learning, literacy, and cognition. Over the years, our International Conference has featured influential voices such as Allan Paivio, Jane Healy, and Temple Grandin, among many others.

Follow along as we continue celebrating 40 years of changing lives through learning and sharing the milestones that brought us here.

Learn more about Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning Our journey through 40 years of Lindamood-Bell continues with a milestone from 1993. 1993: The first Lindamood-Bell International Conference is held in Shell Beach, California. In addition to program workshops, attendees had the opportunity to hear from professionals and scholars in the fields of learning, literacy, and cognition. Over the years, our International Conference has featured influential voices such as Allan Paivio, Jane Healy, and Temple Grandin, among many others. Follow along as we continue celebrating 40 years of changing lives through learning and sharing the milestones that brought us here. Learn more about Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

Our look back at 40 years of Lindamood-Bell continues with another milestone from 1992.

🏢 In 1992, Lindamood-Bell partnered with Motorola on a workplace literacy project designed to strengthen reading and comprehension skills for manufacturing associates and engineers. The project brought our approach to adult learners in a new setting and reflected something we still believe today: learning can happen at any age.

Follow along as we continue celebrating 40 years of changing lives through learning and sharing the milestones that brought us here.

To learn more about Lindamood-Bell click the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning Our look back at 40 years of Lindamood-Bell continues with another milestone from 1992. 🏢 In 1992, Lindamood-Bell partnered with Motorola on a workplace literacy project designed to strengthen reading and comprehension skills for manufacturing associates and engineers. The project brought our approach to adult learners in a new setting and reflected something we still believe today: learning can happen at any age. Follow along as we continue celebrating 40 years of changing lives through learning and sharing the milestones that brought us here. To learn more about Lindamood-Bell click the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Attention Educators: Free Leaders in Literacy Webinar

Join Lindamood-Bell for Deeper than SoR: How One District Closed Gaps and Exited Students from Special Ed

📅 October 7, 2026 | 11 am PT / 2 pm ET / 7 pm BST

Hear how Madeira City Schools moved beyond scripted phonics instruction to build educator expertise, strengthen intervention, and improve outcomes for struggling readers and students receiving special education services.

Register now and bring practical insights back to your classroom, school, or district - Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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Attention Educators: Free Leaders in Literacy Webinar Join Lindamood-Bell for Deeper than SoR: How One District Closed Gaps and Exited Students from Special Ed 📅 October 7, 2026 | 11 am PT / 2 pm ET / 7 pm BST Hear how Madeira City Schools moved beyond scripted phonics instruction to build educator expertise, strengthen intervention, and improve outcomes for struggling readers and students receiving special education services. Register now and bring practical insights back to your classroom, school, or district - Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

Our next milestone takes us to 1992!

📍 1992: First Learning Center outside of San Luis Obispo opens in Sacramento, California

Six years after Lindamood-Bell was founded, we expanded beyond our San Luis Obispo roots with the opening of a Learning Center in Sacramento.

It was an important step in our growth, bringing Lindamood-Bell’s one-to-one, individualized instruction to more students and families.

Follow @lindamoodbellofficial as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning and revisit the milestones that shaped our story. ❤️

Learn more at the link in our bio.

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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning Our next milestone takes us to 1992! 📍 1992: First Learning Center outside of San Luis Obispo opens in Sacramento, California Six years after Lindamood-Bell was founded, we expanded beyond our San Luis Obispo roots with the opening of a Learning Center in Sacramento. It was an important step in our growth, bringing Lindamood-Bell’s one-to-one, individualized instruction to more students and families. Follow @lindamoodbellofficial as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning and revisit the milestones that shaped our story. ❤️ Learn more at the link in our bio.

🎥 Now Available On-Demand: Online Instruction That Actually Works

When you think of online learning, you might picture large virtual classrooms where it can be difficult for students to stay engaged. Lindamood-Bell online instruction is a different experience: live, one-to-one instruction with individualized support and active student engagement.

See what an online session actually looks like and learn about the research and results behind our reading instruction.

👉 Watch the recording at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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🎥 Now Available On-Demand: Online Instruction That Actually Works When you think of online learning, you might picture large virtual classrooms where it can be difficult for students to stay engaged. Lindamood-Bell online instruction is a different experience: live, one-to-one instruction with individualized support and active student engagement. See what an online session actually looks like and learn about the research and results behind our reading instruction. 👉 Watch the recording at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning
As we continue looking back at the milestones that have shaped Lindamood-Bell, we’re returning to where it all began.

📖 1986: Nanci Bell publishes Visualizing and Verbalizing®

The same year Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes was founded, co-founder Nanci Bell published Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking®, introducing an approach designed to develop concept imagery, the ability to create an imaged gestalt from language.

The program grew from Nanci’s work with students who could read words but struggled to understand, remember, and think critically about what they read.
Today, Visualizing and Verbalizing® remains central to our approach to developing language comprehension and higher-order thinking skills.

Follow @lindamoodbellofficial as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning. ❤️
Learn more at the link in our bio.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 17907659601513541
🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning As we continue looking back at the milestones that have shaped Lindamood-Bell, we’re returning to where it all began. 📖 1986: Nanci Bell publishes Visualizing and Verbalizing® The same year Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes was founded, co-founder Nanci Bell published Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking®, introducing an approach designed to develop concept imagery, the ability to create an imaged gestalt from language. The program grew from Nanci’s work with students who could read words but struggled to understand, remember, and think critically about what they read. Today, Visualizing and Verbalizing® remains central to our approach to developing language comprehension and higher-order thinking skills. Follow @lindamoodbellofficial as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning. ❤️ Learn more at the link in our bio.

🎧 New Podcast Episode!

Lindamood-Bell for Schools Director of Development Dave Kiyvyra speaks with Winifred Winston and LeDerick Horne from the Black and Dyslexic podcast about the dyslexia identification and support gap.

They explore disparities in dyslexia identification, limited access to effective reading instruction in many communities, and the challenges families face in understanding and securing the support their children need.

Listen and subscribe at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18121581466883618
🎧 New Podcast Episode! Lindamood-Bell for Schools Director of Development Dave Kiyvyra speaks with Winifred Winston and LeDerick Horne from the Black and Dyslexic podcast about the dyslexia identification and support gap. They explore disparities in dyslexia identification, limited access to effective reading instruction in many communities, and the challenges families face in understanding and securing the support their children need. Listen and subscribe at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

📚 When should kids start reading?

Our latest blog article explores typical reading milestones, signs of readiness, the foundational skills that support reading and comprehension, and when additional support may be helpful.

👉 Read “When Should Kids Start Reading? Age Guidelines, Readiness Signs, and How to Help.” Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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📚 When should kids start reading? Our latest blog article explores typical reading milestones, signs of readiness, the foundational skills that support reading and comprehension, and when additional support may be helpful. 👉 Read “When Should Kids Start Reading? Age Guidelines, Readiness Signs, and How to Help.” Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

This year marks a very special milestone for Lindamood-Bell: 40 years!

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be looking back at some of the milestones that have shaped our story. From our beginnings in 1986 to the work we do today, there is so much to celebrate.

And where better to begin than at the beginning?

📷 1986: Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes is founded.

Pat Lindamood and Nanci Bell co-founded Lindamood-Bell with a shared belief that all students can be taught to read to their potential. From the beginning, our approach was grounded in the understanding that reading is a sensory-cognitive process and that the underlying skills can be developed.

What began 40 years ago has grown into a journey we’re excited to revisit and share with you.

Follow @lindamoodbellofficial as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning and share more milestones from our story.

For more information about Lindamood-Bell, visit the link in our bio. ❤️

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18622979827044629
🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning This year marks a very special milestone for Lindamood-Bell: 40 years! Over the coming weeks, we’ll be looking back at some of the milestones that have shaped our story. From our beginnings in 1986 to the work we do today, there is so much to celebrate. And where better to begin than at the beginning? 📷 1986: Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes is founded. Pat Lindamood and Nanci Bell co-founded Lindamood-Bell with a shared belief that all students can be taught to read to their potential. From the beginning, our approach was grounded in the understanding that reading is a sensory-cognitive process and that the underlying skills can be developed. What began 40 years ago has grown into a journey we’re excited to revisit and share with you. Follow @lindamoodbellofficial as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning and share more milestones from our story. For more information about Lindamood-Bell, visit the link in our bio. ❤️

Considering online homeschooling for your child? There’s a lot to think about beyond curriculum and flexibility.

How will instruction be personalized? Will your child have live interaction with teachers? What kind of support and school community will they have? And will the program help strengthen the learning skills they need to succeed?

Our new guide explores what families should consider when comparing online homeschool programs and how Lindamood-Bell Academy approaches learning from home.

Read Online Homeschool Programs: A Guide for Families at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18227135257322900
Considering online homeschooling for your child? There’s a lot to think about beyond curriculum and flexibility. How will instruction be personalized? Will your child have live interaction with teachers? What kind of support and school community will they have? And will the program help strengthen the learning skills they need to succeed? Our new guide explores what families should consider when comparing online homeschool programs and how Lindamood-Bell Academy approaches learning from home. Read Online Homeschool Programs: A Guide for Families at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

New Podcast Episode!
Tom Mendoza, Co-Director of Lindamood-Bell for Schools, and Deci Douroux, Professional Development Mentor Presenter, explore how developing concept and numerical imagery can help close math achievement gaps.
They discuss a three-step instructional approach that moves students from hands-on experiences with manipulatives to imagery and language, then to computation and problem-solving. Learn how this approach can support stronger number sense, mathematical reasoning, and confidence.
Listen and subscribe at the link our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial

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New Podcast Episode! Tom Mendoza, Co-Director of Lindamood-Bell for Schools, and Deci Douroux, Professional Development Mentor Presenter, explore how developing concept and numerical imagery can help close math achievement gaps. They discuss a three-step instructional approach that moves students from hands-on experiences with manipulatives to imagery and language, then to computation and problem-solving. Learn how this approach can support stronger number sense, mathematical reasoning, and confidence. Listen and subscribe at the link our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial

What’s the difference between Lindamood-Bell and Orton-Gillingham?

Our latest blog article explores the similarities and key differences between these approaches, including Lindamood-Bell’s emphasis on developing the sensory-cognitive processes that underlie reading, spelling, and comprehension.

Read the full article at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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What’s the difference between Lindamood-Bell and Orton-Gillingham? Our latest blog article explores the similarities and key differences between these approaches, including Lindamood-Bell’s emphasis on developing the sensory-cognitive processes that underlie reading, spelling, and comprehension. Read the full article at the link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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