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Seeing Stars

 
 

Numerous peer-reviewed articles based on studies examining the effectiveness of the Lindamood-Bell programs have been published in scholarly journals.

Below, you will find information on these research articles including references, abstracts, links to the articles in their entirety, and more.

The balance between stability and plasticity of the visual word form area in dyslexia

Mitchell, J.L., Yablonski, M., Stone, H.L. et al. The balance between stability and plasticity of the visual word form area in dyslexia. Nat Commun 17, 368 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67054-3 Abstract: Understanding the balance between plastic and persistent traits in the dyslexic brain is critical for developing effective interventions. This longitudinal intervention study examines the Visual Word Form Area in dyslexic…

Small or absent Visual Word Form Area is a trait of dyslexia

Conducted in collaboration with LBLP, this study from Stanford University investigated how the brains of dyslexic learners adapt to reading interventions over time. The study focuses on whether differences in the visual word form area (VWFA)—a crucial region in the left ventral occipitotemporal cortex (VOTC) responsible for recognizing written words—are a stable trait of dyslexia…

White Matter Microstructural Plasticity Associated with Educational Intervention in Reading Disability

Steven L. Meisler, John D. E. Gabrieli, Joanna A. Christodoulou; White matter microstructural plasticity associated with educational intervention in reading disability. Imaging Neuroscience 2024; 2 1–18. doi: https://doi.org/10.1162/imag_a_00108   This study investigates the relationship between reading outcomes and white matter connections that facilitate communication between brain regions critical for proficient reading. Researchers collected reading scores…

Socioeconomic dissociations in the neural and cognitive bases of reading disorders

Childhood socioeconomic status (SES) strongly predicts disparities in reading development, yet it is unknown  whether early environments also moderate the cognitive and neurobiological bases of reading disorders (RD)  such as dyslexia, the most prevalent learning disability. SES-diverse 6–9-year-old children (n = 155, half with  RD) completed behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) tasks engaging…

A project of hope: Lindamood-Bell center in a school project final evaluation report

Burke, C., Howard, L., & Evangelou, T. (2005). A project of hope: Lindamood-Bell center in a school project final evaluation report. San Diego, CA: SANDAG. https://www.sandag.org/uploads/publicationid/publicationid_1130_3953.pdf In September 2002, a literacy program for juvenile male wards was implemented in San Diego County through a partnership between the Juvenile Court, the County Office of Education, the…

The role of brain activity in characterizing successful reading intervention in children with dyslexia

The role of brain activity in characterizing successful reading intervention in children with dyslexia Krafnick, A. J., Napoliello, E. M., Flowers, D. L., & Eden, G. F. (2022) Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16. doi=10.3389/fnins.2022.898661 Studies of reading intervention in dyslexia have shown changes in reading performance and in brain function. However, there is little consistency in…

The Causal Relationship between Dyslexia and Motion Processing

Joo, S., Donnelly, P. M., & Yeatman, J. D. (2017). The causal relationship between dyslexia and motion perception reconsidered. Scientific Reports, 7, 4185. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-04471-5 Background: As one part of on-going Lindamood-Bell Learning Process (LBLP) intervention studies with dyslexics, the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning and Brain Science (I-LAB) examined anew the causal relationship between…

Intensive Summer Intervention Drives Linear Growth of Reading Skill in Struggling Readers

Donnelly, P. M., Huber, E., & Yeatman, J. D. (2019). Intensive summer intervention drives linear growth of reading skill in struggling readers. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1900. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01900  Abstract A major achievement of reading research has been the development of effective intervention programs for struggling readers. Most intervention studies employ a pre-post design, to examine efficacy, but…

Sensitive periods for white matter plasticity and reading intervention

Yeatman, J.D. & Huber, E. (2019, January 8). Sensitive periods for white matter plasticity and reading intervention. Preprint doi:10.1101/346759

Rapid and Widespread White Matter Plasticity During an Intensive Reading Intervention

Huber, E., Donnelly, P. M., Rokem, A., & Yeatman, J. D. (2018, February 22). White matter plasticity and reading instruction: Widespread anatomical changes track the learning process. Nature Communications. Preprint doi:10.1101/268979

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🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

🧠 2011: Georgetown University researchers publish a study showing changes in the brains of children with dyslexia following reading intervention.

Our next milestone highlights research conducted by Georgetown University's Center for the Study of Learning in collaboration with Lindamood-Bell.

Published in the scientific journal NeuroImage, the study followed children with dyslexia who received eight weeks of instruction using the Seeing Stars® program.

Researchers found significant improvements in reading skills, along with measurable increases in gray matter volume in the brain. Follow-up testing eight weeks later showed that these gains were maintained.

These findings offered encouraging evidence that effective reading instruction can help children with dyslexia improve their reading skills while also supporting changes in the brain.

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning!
🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

📖 Our next milestone takes us to 2010, when Nanci Bell published the Symbol Imagery (SI) Test.

This standardized assessment measures a student's ability to visualize the sounds and letters within words, an important skill for reading and spelling.

The SI Test helps educators identify and monitor skills that underlie word recognition, spelling, and reading fluency.

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning!
🐱 Calling all cat lovers! Celebrate National Cat Day with a FREE reading resource for parents and teachers, courtesy of Gander Publishing!

This Imagine That! lesson packet features five cat-themed stories for grades 2–6, vocabulary practice, puzzles, and a coloring page!

Perfect for use with Visualizing and Verbalizing® or with any student who could benefit from extra comprehension practice.

Download your free packet - follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial!
🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

Our next milestone takes us to 2008, when Lindamood-Bell co-founder Nanci Bell was recognized by the California State Assembly as one of the state's Top 50 Women Business Leaders!

Follow along as we celebrate 40 years of changing lives through learning.
#LindamoodBell40 #LindamoodBell
🎧 New Podcast Episode!

How can art help students share their stories and make a difference in their communities?

Muralist Kyle Holbrook joins Lindamood-Bell for Schools Director of Development Dave Kiyvyra to discuss the Moving Lives of Kids Community Mural Project and the power of art to bring people together.

Hear how students are using creativity to express themselves and contribute to their communities.

Listen and subscribe at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

📚 2006: What happens when an entire school district works to improve reading?

In 2006, researchers from Texas A&M University published a study in the American Educational Research Journal examining reading achievement in Colorado’s Pueblo School District 60, where Lindamood-Bell had been working with schools since 1997 to support students at risk of reading difficulties.

They examined reading scores for students in grades 3–5 over several years and found that schools using Lindamood-Bell instruction made significantly greater gains than schools across Colorado. Those gains increased over time, including in Title I schools.

It was encouraging to see these results, especially in a district where so many students needed additional reading support.

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

Tap the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial,  to learn more about our work and research.
📣 FREE Halloween Download for Parents and Teachers, courtesy of Gander Publishing! 🎃
The Imagine That! Halloween lesson packet features four high-imagery stories written at a 2nd–5th-grade reading level.

👻 Enjoy stories about a giant pumpkin, a ghost, and even a rooster accused of being a witch!
🎃 Build reading comprehension with higher-order thinking questions.
🍬 Strengthen vocabulary skills with engaging activities.

Perfect for use with Visualizing and Verbalizing® or any student who could benefit from extra comprehension practice.
Download your free packet and bring some Halloween fun to reading! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
🎉 40 Years of Changing Lives Through Learning

🧠 2004: Georgetown University researchers publish an important study on adult dyslexia and Lindamood-Bell instruction.

Led by Dr. Guinevere Eden and published in the scientific journal Neuron, the study used brain imaging to examine changes in adults with dyslexia following eight weeks of intensive Lindamood-Bell instruction.

Researchers found improvements in reading skills along with changes in brain activity, showing that the adult brain can continue to change and develop with reading instruction.

More than 20 years later, these findings continue to offer hope for adults who struggle with reading.

For more about our evidence-based reading instruction, follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.

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