Interventions in Math Learning Disabilities: Cognitive and Neural Correlates

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate neurocognitive mechanisms underlying response to intervention aimed at enhancing, and remediating weaknesses in, numerical skills in children, including those with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD).

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to investigate neurocognitive mechanisms underlying response to intervention aimed at enhancing, and remediating weaknesses in, numerical skills in children, including those with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD). To achieve this goal, investigators will use a theoretically-motivated integrated symbolic/non-symbolic (iSNS) intervention with a randomized controlled design to enhance cross-format mapping between symbolic and nonsymbolic representations of quantities. The investigators will develop innovative computational models to investigate individual differences in latent cognitive processes and brain plasticity that contribute to learning, long-term retention, and transfer in children. The investigators will assess performance in several areas and investigate cognitive and neural mechanisms that support numerical skill acquisition in children with differing levels of math learning abilities.

Arms & interventions

• OtherInterventions in Mathematics and Cognitive Skills - Experimental

  After study participants have completed screenings to meet our inclusion criteria, participants will take part in the pre-training MRI brain scan (if eligible) and behavioral assessments and will then be assigned to the intervention for 6 weeks. During this training, participants will spend three days each week completing a set of problems at their home on a tablet that we provide them. Participants will receive one-to-one training with a member of our research team once a week. Following the completion of the 6-week training program, participants will be asked to complete a second MRI brain imaging session (for those who completed pre-training MRI) and post-measure appointments in order to assess immediate effects of the training program. Participants will also be invited to return for follow-up testing after six months in order to assess the long- lasting effects of the training program.

• OtherInterventions in Mathematics and Cognitive Skills - Active Comparator

  After study participants have completed screenings to meet our inclusion criteria, participants will take part in the pre-training MRI brain scan (if eligible) and behavioral assessments and will then be assigned to the intervention for 6 weeks. During this training, participants will spend three days each week completing a set of problems at their home on a tablet that we provide them. Participants will receive one-to-one training with a member of our research team once a week. Following the completion of the 6-week training program, participants will be asked to complete a second MRI brain imaging session (for those who completed pre-training MRI) and post-measure appointments in order to assess immediate effects of the training program. Participants will also be invited to return for follow-up testing after six months in order to assess the long- lasting effects of the training program.

Outcome measures

Eligibility criteria