Dr. Nadine Gaab, PhD has been studying the developing brain at Harvard for over 15 years. The lab focuses on children with dyslexia, answering questions such as: when do brain characteristics associated with dyslexia manifest in children? Do these brain characteristics develop while children are struggling in school, or well before they even enter school? 

In 2007, the Gaab lab found that brain characteristics present in third and fourth grade students were already present in preschool aged children. Now, the Gaab lab is studying these characteristics in infants with family history of dyslexia between 3 and 8 months of age. They have found that atypical brain characteristics associated with dyslexia are already present as early as infancy, and can be early indicators for reading struggles. This suggests that children at risk for dyslexia can be identified well before they even start school.

Dr. Gaab is using this research to push for more early intervention in struggling readers, rather than having schools wait to see if children struggle. In doing this, Dr. Gaab aims to prevent children with dyslexia from developing low self esteem, negative experiences with learning, and shame.

“Every child has the right to read well. Every child has the right to access their full potential.” - Dr. Nadine Gaab