Understanding Reading Disorders and Interventions

Aug 6, 2024

Neuropsychology of Reading Disorders: A Framework of Effective Interventions Webinar

Overview

  • Date: Tuesday, May 14th, 2013
  • Speaker: Dr. Stephen Pfeifer
  • Series: Cause and Effect - Focus on why students struggle and intervention strategies

Speaker Introduction

  • Dr. Stephen Pfeifer
    • Nationally renowned speaker and author in learning disabilities
    • 19 years as a school psychologist
    • Professor and research scientist at George Washington University
    • Clinical supervisor at Monocacy Neurodevelopmental Center
    • Awards: Maryland School Psychologists of the Year (2008), National School Psychologists of the Year (2009), Distinguished Alumnae Scholar of the Year (2011)

Focus of the Webinar

  • Topic: Neuropsychology of reading disorders with emphasis on reading comprehension
  • Goals: Review subtypes of reading disorders, explore neural pathways, brain regions, and interventions

Key Points

Subtypes of Reading Disorders

  1. Dysphonetic Dyslexia
    • Difficulty with decoding and phonological processing
    • Brain regions: Heschl’s gyrus, Superior Temporal Gyrus, Supramarginal Gyrus
  2. Surface Dyslexia
    • Difficulty with rapid and automatic word recognition
    • Brain region: Angular Gyrus
  3. Mixed Dyslexia
    • Combination of phonological and orthographic deficits
  4. Reading Comprehension Deficits
    • Focus of this webinar
    • Key brain areas: Prefrontal Cortex (executive functioning and working memory), Frontal and Temporal lobes (language development)

Importance of Working Memory and Executive Functioning

  • Working Memory: Holding and manipulating information
    • Components: Phonological loop, Visuospatial sketchpad, Central executive
    • Impacted by anxiety and emotional distress
  • Executive Functions: Planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, self-monitoring
    • Located in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Reading Comprehension Strategies

  • Stop and Start Technique: Read for short intervals and answer questions
  • Directional Questions: Provide questions before reading
  • Reading Out Loud: Enhances working memory
  • Story Maps: Pre-reading activity to organize information
  • Narrative Reading: Retell the story after reading
  • Multiple Exposures: Skim before reading, look at headings and topic sentences
  • Active Participation: Take notes, highlight important information
  • Reducing Anxiety: Optional reading out loud
  • Vocabulary Development: Practice terminology before reading complex texts

Programs and Interventions

  • Visualization and Verbalization (Lindamood-Bell): For children with autism, hyperlexia, and English language learners
  • Soar to Success: Teaches summarizing, clarifying, questioning, and making predictions
  • Read Naturally: Builds fluency and requires comprehension for progression
  • Read 180: Comprehensive program for older students, includes vocabulary and comprehension strategies

Case Studies

  • Billy: 12-year-old with ADHD, struggles with planning, organization, and comprehension
  • Sam: 9-year-old with Asperger’s, difficulty with abstract text and social cues
  • Jo: 16-year-old with high IQ but poor academic performance due to lack of effort and comprehension of uninteresting material
  • Martin: 11-year-old with emotional issues, non-compliance, and reading comprehension struggles

Framework for Evaluations

  • Comprehensive assessments are required to identify learning processes
  • Evidence-based assessments lead to targeted interventions

Legal Context

  • Forest Grove Case: Emphasized the need for comprehensive evaluations in schools
  • Supreme Court Ruling: Schools must survey all areas of suspected disability, not just IQ

Final Points

  • Early Linguistic Enrichment: Critical for brain development and later reading skills
  • Reading Exposure: Encouraging daily reading to expand vocabulary and comprehension skills
  • Neuropsychological Training: Information about further training in school neuropsychology for deeper understanding and interventions

Conclusion

  • Objective: Understanding and addressing reading comprehension issues through neuropsychology and effective interventions
  • Contact Information: Dr. Stephen Pfeifer's email provided during the webinar for further questions

Note: Various assessment tools and detailed strategies are discussed to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing reading comprehension issues in students.