Family Resources
The following list includes online links and references to web sites, books and articles that we have found helpful. Clicking on the topic will link you to that section.
Attention Difficulties
Auditory Processing Disorder
Autistic Spectrum
Dyslexia
Learning Difficulties
Medical: Brain-related, cerebellum/automaticity, vestibular function
Music and the Brain
Sensory Processing Disorder
Attention Difficulties
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/ – a good site covering ADHD symptoms, research and resources for parents and teachers
“Misunderstood Minds” – an excellent documentary about ADHD covering the most up-to-date views of ADHD diagnosis and treatment
Children and Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Functional MRI (fMRI): Links and Information.
“Inside the Teenage Brain.” Frontline. PBS Online and WGBH/Frontline, 2002.
“Medicating Kids.” Frontline. PBS Online and WGBH/Frontline, 2001.
“Out of Control.” 48 Hours. MMI, CBS Worldwide, Inc. November 9, 2001.
“Pediatrics — Neurology.” Department of Pediatrics Sections & Centers. Yale University School of Medicine.
Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory Processing Disorders, by Dr. Deborah Swain
Published by Plural Publishing, 2007
LD Online web site article reviewing CAPD (2004)
Kid’s Health site explaining basics for parents whose children may have CAPD
Autistic Spectrum
NIH web site with definitions and descriptions
The DANA Foundation web site is a very good source of news articles and brain-related information
National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) is a good comprehensive site categorized by condition.
Autism and Aspergers information
Autism Awareness Centre – Canadian based site on autism; very informative site for both parents and professionals with good leads for trainings and conferences; includes a well written blog by one of the founders.
The Autistic Spectrum: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding and Helping Your Child, by Lorna Wing
Home Educating Our Autistic Spectrum Children, by Terry Dowty
Finding You Finding Me, by Phoebe Caldwell
Dyslexia
The relationship between motor control and phonology in dyslexic children; role of the cerebellum and automaticity
International Dyslexia Association
National Center for Learning Disorders
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Learning Difficulties
Learning Disabilities: types, causes, symptoms and diagnoses
LDA – the basics for parents and teachers
Schwabb Learning site – good source of articles and information
Medical: Brain-related, Cerebellum/Automaticity, vestibular function
Cerebellar Damage Impairs Automaticity of a Recently Practiced Movement,
Journal of Physiology, Lang/Bastian
Cerebellar Impairment/Dyslexia – UK government article about the theory that cerebellum is directly involved in language acquisition
Developmental dyslexia, learning and the cerebellum
Fawcett and Nicolson, University of Sheffield, UK
The Role of the Cerebellum in Subsecond Time Perception
MIT Press article
Music and the Brain
So You Think You Can Dance? PET Scans Reveal Your Brain’s Inner Choreography Scientific American, July 2008
Brain imaging studies reveal the complex neural choreography behind music and dance
Experimental Audio/Visual Therapies Help Schools Teach Students to Focus USA Today article, June 3, 2008
Gordon Parks School in Kansas City, MO uses Integrated Listening Systems and other tools to help their students’ learning and attention abilities.
How the Brain Learns to Read Can Depend on the Language Wall Street Journal Science Journal article, May 2, 2008
New research shows that reading Chinese and English activate different regions of the brain.
Geometry Shapes the Sound of Music Journal Science, April 18, 2008
‘Geomoetrical music theory’ gives light to the math behind music
Scientists Unravel What Makes Us Creative story by Lauren Neergaard, AP, March 10, 2008
MRI scan shows that the medial prefrontal cortex fires up during creative activity, similar to the brain circuitry used during dreaming; heightened sensory awareness (touch, hearing, sight) also recorded
Study Shows Music Improves Stroke Patients’ Recovery article in Science Daily, Feb 1, 2008
Music Training ‘Tunes’ Human Auditory System” article in Science Daily, March 13, 2007, on Dr. Nina Kraus’ research at Northwestern U. on the effect of musical training on neurological development;
“The findings also are consistent with studies by Kraus and her research team that have revealed anomalies in brainstem sound encoding in some children with learning disabilities which can be improved by auditory training.”
Music Training linked to Enhanced Verbal Skills” Science Daily 2007
“Our study indicates that the high-level cognitive processing of music affects automatic processing that occurs early in the processing stream and fundamentally shapes sensory circuitry.” Dr. Nina Kraus
“Music Thought to Enhance Intelligence, Mental Health and Immune System”
Science Daily article reports on volume 1060, The Neurosciences and Music II, of the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Science Daily, 2006
Musicophelia: Tales of Music and the Brain, by Oliver Sacks
Very readable stories of the effect of music on brain function by the renowned neurologist and author.
Music and the Brain, by Laurence O’Donnell
Interesting article about music’s effect on the brain, with fun historical references
Music on the brain: Researchers explore the biology of music on the brain, article by William J. Cromie, Harvard Gazette, 2001
How Your Brain Listens to Music, by William J. Cromie, Harvard Gazette, 1997
Music and the Brain, Scientific American, 2004
The “Mozart Effect” – an exhaustive list of research on the topic
“Music Moves Brain to Pay Attention, Study Finds”, Science Daily 2005
Dr. Gordon Shaw, founder of the Mozart Effect, on music and the brain
Slideshow: Music Makes Your Brain Happy, Wired magazine 2006
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Kid Foundation: great source of information for professionals and parents
Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Those with Sensory Processing Disorder, by Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR
The definitive book on the subject of SPD, very readable and engaging.
