This study aims to assess whether and how particular brain regions are influenced or impacted by the literacy intervention software program Tune In? to Reading. Tune In? to Reading aims to improve subjects? reading through singing practice and reinforcement, focusing on vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. The program provides customized instruction using song selections and lessons specifically chosen to match each individual?s instructional reading level.

To determine whether and how particular brain areas are influenced by this intervention, before and after the intervention we will look at how the brain processes language tasks. We are interested in understanding the brain processes involved in reading and reading impairments, and how students who have reading difficulties can best be supported to improve their skills.

- Children/adolescents ages 9-17 who are struggling readers or have a diagnosis of developmental dyslexia
- Children/adolescents ages 9-17 with no reading difficulties, for a comparison population (typical reading participants will not receive the intervention, as it is intended for struggling readers)

This study will involve three two-hour sessions (before AND after the intervention) at our lab at MIT
- Session 1: children/adolescents will have their reading, language and cognitive abilities assessed using standardized assessments (i.e. CTOPP, CELF, K-BIT).
- Session 2: children/adolescents will play auditory processing and musical aptitude games on a computer (i.e. listening to sounds on headphones and making judgments about them).
- Session 3: children/adolescents will participate in a brain imaging session (fMRI) and will complete language tasks (i.e. letter rhyming, listening to a story, or making decisions about sentences and/or speech or environmental sounds).
- Intervention Program: children/adolescents whose scores indicate that they are a struggling reader and could benefit from the intervention will spend 4-9 weeks using the Tune In? to Reading software.

After each session, children will receive a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble bookstore and other small prizes. Children will also receive a CD with pictures of their brain!