Learning Problems Linked to Brain Hub Connectivity

Researchers at University of Cambridge have found that children with learning difficulties have poor brain hub connectivity. The findings were based on a study of 479 children of which 337 had learning-related cognitive problems. Children's brains are organised like an efficient traffic system or social network. Those with well-connected brain hubs have very specific cognitive difficulties such as poor listening skills or no difficulties at all. But children with poorly connected hubs have widespread and severe cognitive problems. Earlier it was believed that there are specific brain regions that predict having a particular learning difficulty or developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia or autism spectrum disorder. Dr Duncan Astle who led the study said that interventions by teachers should be less reliant on diagnostic labels and should be supported with specific ones such as improving listening skills or language competencies or at interventions that would be good for the whole class, like how to reduce working memory demands during learning.