Author: Brett McCardel, MC, CCC-SLP
Reading is not something that we are inherently hard-wired to do, like talking or listening. Instead, we need to be taught this skill through direct instruction. โฃ
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In order to accomplish this, we rely on the brainโs ability to change itself (also called ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐). Through neuroplasticity, neurological pathways are developed throughout the brain that allow for the skill of reading to develop and solidify.โฃ
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Reading is not confined to just one area of the brain; instead, gray matter (neuron cell bodies) and white matter (axons/nerve fibers covered in myelin) across the brain form pathways that allow for reading.โฃ
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Though an in-depth discussion of the neurological basis of reading is beyond this post, several important regions of the brain that play a role in reading include:โฃ
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-๐ง๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐: involved in processing an discriminating speech soundsโฃ
-๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎโ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒโ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐: involved in speech production and language comprehension โฃ
-๐๐ป๐ด๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐: involved in identifying letter shapesโฃ
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From a clinical perspective, lesions in any of these areas are risk factors for an alexia. That being said, a lesion in these areas does not automatically mean that a person will acquire reading problems. Conversely, people with alexia may have lesions across the brain not specifically in these areas. โฃ
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Let lesion areas drive your formulation of a clinical hypothesis, and allow behavioral observation and patient report to determine whether alexia assessment is warranted.โฃ
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If an alexia does exist, it will then be time to put the principles of neuroplasticity back in action! Just as the brain changes during childhood to allow for reading to develop, so too can the brain change after an injury to regain lost reading skills.โฃ
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As brain imaging techniques become more sophisticated, our understanding of reading and alexia becomes more nuanced as well. This sets the stage for exciting treatment options like Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).โฃ
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Exciting reading times are ahead! โฃ
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#aphasia #aphasiatherapy #neurorehabilitation #medslp #reading #alexiaโฃ
Looking for speech therapy and aphasia therapy in the Seattle, WA area? Click here to learn more about the services we provide, or contact us at (206) 395-4259 / Brett@archwaysrehab.com