The Promise of Discovery Episode 13: 

Many deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children struggle with reading and the severity of the impairment for some children increases with age. Despite this, we know very little about the brain mechanisms for successful reading in DHH children and do not know why some DHH children are good readers and other are not. The research discussed in this episode uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 10- to 15-year-old hearing children as well as in DHH children with predominant signed language, predominant oral language, or bimodal (signed and oral) language. The longitudinal approach follows children two years later and allows an investigation of how reading gains are related to brain changes over time and whether this varies with age. 

VKC Researcher: James Booth, Ph.D., Patricia & Rodes Hart Chair and Professor of Psychology & Human Development

Interviewer: Daniel Devor, project coordinator, Brain Development Lab.

Watch the video of the podcast with ASL interpretation at:
https://share.vidyard.com/watch/YwWsiMVZsLfTgnk61a4yEX?

Brain mechanisms underlying skilled reading in children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) facilitates discoveries and best practices to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. More than 200 faculty affiliated with Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are engaged in multidisciplinary research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination. The VKC’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) works to improve assessment and treatment services for children with autism while advancing knowledge and training.