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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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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

Our next milestone takes us to 2002, when Lindamood-Bell reached another exciting first!

🇬🇧 2002: Our first international Learning Center opens in London, England.
The opening of our London Learning Center meant more children could benefit from individualized instruction to strengthen their reading and comprehension skills. It was another meaningful step in helping more students learn to their potential.

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning.

Explore 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 to 2002, when Lindamood-Bell reached another exciting first! 🇬🇧 2002: Our first international Learning Center opens in London, England. The opening of our London Learning Center meant more children could benefit from individualized instruction to strengthen their reading and comprehension skills. It was another meaningful step in helping more students learn to their potential. Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning. Explore Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎙️ New Podcast Episode: Supporting At-Promise Students

In this episode, we’re joined by Khieem Jackson, Managing Director of Reaching At-Promise Students Association (RAPSA), for a thoughtful conversation about helping at-promise and opportunity youth thrive.
Together, we explore how the words we use to describe students can shape their experiences, and how literacy and learning can open doors to new opportunities beyond the classroom.

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

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🎙️ New Podcast Episode: Supporting At-Promise Students In this episode, we’re joined by Khieem Jackson, Managing Director of Reaching At-Promise Students Association (RAPSA), for a thoughtful conversation about helping at-promise and opportunity youth thrive. Together, we explore how the words we use to describe students can shape their experiences, and how literacy and learning can open doors to new opportunities beyond the classroom. 🎧 Listen and subscribe at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Lindamood-Bell will be at the International Dyslexia Association 2026 Annual Reading, Literacy & Learning Conference, November 12–14 in Las Vegas.

Join Paul Worthington, Director of Research and Development, for “ADHD and Dyslexia: Untangling the Comorbidity Conundrum,” which examines research on co-occurring ADHD, dyslexia, and language-processing difficulties, as well as implications for intervention.

📅 November 12–14
📍 Las Vegas + virtual attendance available

Learn more about our presentation and where to find us at the conference at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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Lindamood-Bell will be at the International Dyslexia Association 2026 Annual Reading, Literacy & Learning Conference, November 12–14 in Las Vegas. Join Paul Worthington, Director of Research and Development, for “ADHD and Dyslexia: Untangling the Comorbidity Conundrum,” which examines research on co-occurring ADHD, dyslexia, and language-processing difficulties, as well as implications for intervention. 📅 November 12–14 📍 Las Vegas + virtual attendance available Learn more about our presentation and where to find us at the conference at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

📚 2000: Lindamood-Bell partners with juvenile justice schools in San Diego, California, for Project of Hope.

Through this partnership, Lindamood-Bell provided intensive reading and comprehension instruction to young people in the juvenile justice system.
Using the Seeing Stars® and Visualizing and Verbalizing® programs, Project of Hope helped students strengthen their reading and comprehension skills. An independent evaluation found significant gains, offering new hope and opportunities for their futures.

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning.

Explore Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial

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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning 📚 2000: Lindamood-Bell partners with juvenile justice schools in San Diego, California, for Project of Hope. Through this partnership, Lindamood-Bell provided intensive reading and comprehension instruction to young people in the juvenile justice system. Using the Seeing Stars® and Visualizing and Verbalizing® programs, Project of Hope helped students strengthen their reading and comprehension skills. An independent evaluation found significant gains, offering new hope and opportunities for their futures. Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning. Explore Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial

Students with ADHD may need more than help with organization and study skills.

Our latest blog explores how individualized instruction can help students strengthen underlying learning skills, manage schoolwork, and become more confident, independent learners.

👉 Learn more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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Students with ADHD may need more than help with organization and study skills. Our latest blog explores how individualized instruction can help students strengthen underlying learning skills, manage schoolwork, and become more confident, independent learners. 👉 Learn more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

📰 1999: Lindamood-Bell is featured in a Newsweek cover story on dyslexia.

The November 22, 1999, issue of Newsweek featured “Dyslexia and the New Science of Reading,” exploring how research was changing our understanding of dyslexia and reading difficulties. The article highlighted Lindamood-Bell’s unique sensory-cognitive approach to developing the underlying skills needed for reading and spelling.

This exciting milestone brought national attention to our work and new hope to students and families facing reading challenges.

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning. Learn more about Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning 📰 1999: Lindamood-Bell is featured in a Newsweek cover story on dyslexia. The November 22, 1999, issue of Newsweek featured “Dyslexia and the New Science of Reading,” exploring how research was changing our understanding of dyslexia and reading difficulties. The article highlighted Lindamood-Bell’s unique sensory-cognitive approach to developing the underlying skills needed for reading and spelling. This exciting milestone brought national attention to our work and new hope to students and families facing reading challenges. Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning. Learn more about Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

What happens when phonics instruction has been tried, but reading is still difficult?

Join us for our free webinar, More Than Phonics: What Makes Lindamood-Bell Different, to learn why some students need more than decoding practice to become confident, independent readers.

We’ll explore why phonics alone may not address every student’s learning needs and how Lindamood-Bell develops the sensory-cognitive processes that underlie reading and comprehension.

📅 Thursday, October 15
🕙 10 a.m. PT | 1 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. BST

Can’t attend live? Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording.

🔗 Register at the link in bio @lindamoodbellofficial.

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What happens when phonics instruction has been tried, but reading is still difficult? Join us for our free webinar, More Than Phonics: What Makes Lindamood-Bell Different, to learn why some students need more than decoding practice to become confident, independent readers. We’ll explore why phonics alone may not address every student’s learning needs and how Lindamood-Bell develops the sensory-cognitive processes that underlie reading and comprehension. 📅 Thursday, October 15 🕙 10 a.m. PT | 1 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. BST Can’t attend live? Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording. 🔗 Register at the link in bio @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

📖 1998: The Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® (LiPS®) Program is published.

Lindamood-Bell co-founder and speech-language pathologist Patricia Lindamood and her daughter, Phyllis Lindamood, revised the Auditory Discrimination in Depth (ADD) program and published the Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech (LiPS®).

The LiPS® Program helps students develop phonemic awareness by teaching them to discover and label the mouth movements that produce speech sounds. Students learn to identify and sequence sounds in words, then apply those skills to reading, spelling, and speech.

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning.

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

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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning 📖 1998: The Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® (LiPS®) Program is published. Lindamood-Bell co-founder and speech-language pathologist Patricia Lindamood and her daughter, Phyllis Lindamood, revised the Auditory Discrimination in Depth (ADD) program and published the Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech (LiPS®). The LiPS® Program helps students develop phonemic awareness by teaching them to discover and label the mouth movements that produce speech sounds. Students learn to identify and sequence sounds in words, then apply those skills to reading, spelling, and speech. Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning. Learn more about Lindamood-Bell at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

“He took off when he learned to read.”

Waseem struggled with reading throughout school. Then, through Kentwood Public Schools’ partnership with Lindamood-Bell, he received Seeing Stars® instruction from a teacher trained in the program.

Today, Waseem is a fourth-year medical student.

Hear Waseem share his journey and the impact learning to read had on his life.
▶️ Watch the full video at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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“He took off when he learned to read.” Waseem struggled with reading throughout school. Then, through Kentwood Public Schools’ partnership with Lindamood-Bell, he received Seeing Stars® instruction from a teacher trained in the program. Today, Waseem is a fourth-year medical student. Hear Waseem share his journey and the impact learning to read had on his life. ▶️ Watch the full video at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

📚 1997: Two new programs become part of the Lindamood-Bell story.

Nanci Bell published Seeing Stars®, designed to develop symbol imagery, the ability to visualize letters and words for reading and spelling. Long overlooked in literacy instruction, symbol imagery addresses what is a missing piece for many struggling readers.

Nanci Bell and Kimberly Tuley also published On Cloud Nine® Math, designed to develop numerical imagery for number sense and mathematical reasoning.

Nearly 30 years later, both programs remain core to Lindamood-Bell instruction and our commitment to helping students learn to their potential.

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning.
Learn more about Lindamood-Bell and our instruction at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 17905339521578605
🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning 📚 1997: Two new programs become part of the Lindamood-Bell story. Nanci Bell published Seeing Stars®, designed to develop symbol imagery, the ability to visualize letters and words for reading and spelling. Long overlooked in literacy instruction, symbol imagery addresses what is a missing piece for many struggling readers. Nanci Bell and Kimberly Tuley also published On Cloud Nine® Math, designed to develop numerical imagery for number sense and mathematical reasoning. Nearly 30 years later, both programs remain core to Lindamood-Bell instruction and our commitment to helping students learn to their potential. Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning. Learn more about Lindamood-Bell and our instruction at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month 💙📚

For more than 40 years, Lindamood-Bell has helped students with dyslexia strengthen the skills needed for reading and learning.

Research shows what’s possible: with targeted, intensive instruction, students with dyslexia can make significant gains in reading, and studies have documented measurable changes in the brain systems that support reading.

Learn more about our approach, student outcomes, and the research behind our work. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18126825883874673
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month 💙📚 For more than 40 years, Lindamood-Bell has helped students with dyslexia strengthen the skills needed for reading and learning. Research shows what’s possible: with targeted, intensive instruction, students with dyslexia can make significant gains in reading, and studies have documented measurable changes in the brain systems that support reading. Learn more about our approach, student outcomes, and the research behind our work. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

🎉 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.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 17925487437428361
🎉 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.

Open post by lindamoodbellofficial with ID 18628461103060305
🎉 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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