This National Institute of Health (NIH)-funded project tests the efficacy of a rigorous reading intervention on reading comprehension and brain responses in autistic and non-autistic children with comprehension difficulties. Participants will receive an intervention through Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes called Visualizing and Verbalizing (V/V) for Language Comprehension and Thinking. In our previous studies, we have found significant success with this intervention, and we are now extending the application of our science to children to receive the V/V intervention free of cost if they are eligible for the study. We are recruiting children with autism (ages 7-13 years) who have strong reading fluency and accuracy skills (ability to read at age level with minimal errors), but difficulties in reading comprehension.

The study has 3 phases: pre-testing, intervention, and post-testing. Pre- and post-testing will take place at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). There are two days of testing for both pre-and post-sessions- one day for evaluation testing and one day for MRI scanning. The first day lasts approx. 4.5 hours and consists of a variety of paper-pencil assessments. The second day consists of the fMRI scan, which includes 30 minutes of participant preparation and 1 hour of scanning (1.5 hours total). Participants are compensated $125 for pre-and post-testing and are responsible for travel and accommodations to UAB.

Those interested and/or who would like more information may contact us at (205) 202-0616 or [email protected].

Name of Organization:
Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham

For questions, please email::
[email protected]

Study Link: 
https://sites.uab.edu/cbra/