Brain Facts # 6
Brain Imaging
A key contributor to our growing understanding of neuroplasticity was the development of brain imaging technology. By allowing scientists to produce images of the brain that show its structure, as well as where activity spikes as it engages in various cognitive activities, these neuroimaging methods have revolutionized neuroscience in the same way that the telescope revolutionized astronomy.
There are 2 types of brain imaging: structural and functional. Structural imaging provides information about the shape and volume of the brain and its various parts and includes: computed axial tomography (CAT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional imaging, which includes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) shows patterns of brain activity allowing researchers and clinicians to identify specific regions of the brain that spike in activity when an individual performs a specific task.
CLASSROOM & HOMEWORK TIPS for SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
“Children who can use and understand nonverbal communication comprehend the fundamentals of human interaction and communication much better than children who can’t. They tend to be more cooperative and attentive in school. They are able to pick up on unspoken cues and figure out situations that might baffle other children.Children who have a hard time with nonverbal communication are likely to have a hard time in school and with friends.” (Stanley Greenspan M.D.)