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Join Our Research
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How do attention skills impact learning to read? We are interested in reading development in struggling readers and children with attention difficulties.
We are recruiting 3rd - 5th graders to participate in our research. Children will come to MIT for two study sessions: one to measure their reading skills, and one for brain imaging. Learn more here.
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Watch a video about visiting MIT for research!
These are brains of 4 different kids we've scanned! Everyone's brain is unique.
​Here are some participants exploring their brains!
Meet the Team
Discoveries
A previous study found that readers with dyslexia show different brain activation patterns depending on executive function skills. PubMed >>
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Read our newsletter to learn about our progress and how you can help!
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FAQ
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How do I sign up?Fill out this short form, and we will be in touch!
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Who can participate?We are recruiting 3rd-5th graders with or without dyslexia, ADHD, or both! At this time, we are unable to invite children with ASD or autism to participate in the READ study. To join an autism research database at MIT and be contacted about other studies, sign up here.
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What will my child do?There are two parts to our study. In the behavioral session, children will complete tasks and activities with a researcher. These are standardized assessments that children might do with a school psychologist or in an evaluation of dyslexia or ADHD. In the brain scanning session, children will both watch a video and play some brain games. These sessions can be scheduled in a single visit or across two visits. If you have more than one interested child, we are able to schedule up to two children for simultaneous sessions. We are available at any time, including weekends and evenings. This is what our brain scanning sessions are like!
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How long is the commitment?The behavioral session is 2.5-3 hours. The length varies with each child. The brain scanning session is 2 hours long. Children will be in the MRI for only 50-60 minutes of this time. The rest of the session allows for explaining the process, teaching children the brain games, and preparing for the session. We are able to schedule these sessions for a single visit or spread them across two separate visits. We will also invite children and their parent or guardian back next year!
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What do I leave with?You will leave with pictures of your child's brain and up to $120. Children will be reimbursed $20 per hour for the behavioral session and $30 per hour for the brain imaging session. We will also send you a report of the assessment scores from the behavioral session 1-2 months after your child comes in. Here's an example of the pictures families take home!
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What is fMRI? Is it safe?fMRI measures changes in blood flow that occur with brain activity. It is non-invasive and very safe! There are no injections or radiation. Over 1000 children have safely participated in our imaging center! Watch the video below with your child to learn more about MRI and what to expect during a brain imaging session.
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Where do I go?The McGovern Institute for Brain Research on MIT's campus!
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Is parking provided?Yes! When you schedule an appointment with us, we will send you a free parking pass and parking instructions.
Contact
McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT
43 Vassar St.
Cambridge, MA, 02139
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