Neuroplasticity and Critical Thinking

The July 2008 Kaohsuing Journal of Medical Sciences published a series of articles on neuroplasticity and critical thinking.  The lead article, entitled Neuroplasticiy and Critical Thinking outlines the articles that were peer-reviewed.  See link and download:

http://ajws.elsevier.com/ajws3/a260607.asp?journal_issn=1607-551X&volume=24&issue=7&year=2008&month=7

I found it interesting to note that the Arrowsmith Program can build reasoning ability.  This can take from 6 months to 3 years of intervention depending on the severity of the reasoning or critical thinking issue.  Students who are targeted to improve reasoning are asked to do cognitive exercises that build this area of brain functioning.  The exercises ask them to look at the “big picture” first and then come up with conclusions or summaries about this information – both through language analysis and visual-perceptual reasoning.  This builds the students reasoning or conceptual thinking abilities over time.  As well, significant repetition is required to improve a cognitive weakness in this area of neurological functioning.  Read these articles for insight into this area of neuroplasticity.

The point that IQ is not fixed as reasoning and other cognitive functions can be significantly improved is quite evident in this ongoing scientific investigation into the plastic brain.

Information on Attention and Meditation

There is more and more discussion and research on the benefits on meditation on improving attention.  I thought I would post a few of these links so you can take a look at what is being said in the public domain.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/139206

http://www.livescience.com/health/070507_mental_training.html

http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/meditation-and-neuroplasticity/

http://www.mindsite.com/blog/tag/Neuroplasticity/1

http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S155083070500306X

Enjoy some of these articles and blogs.

Back from Writing Book

I am looking forward to the 2009 postings and comments.

I have been busy the last two months working on a book on the Arrowsmith Program and Eaton Arrowsmith School called, “Brain School: Children Who Changed Their Lives Through Educational Neuroplasticity“.  The book will take a look at students who have completed the Arrowsmith Program and have been integrated into public and private schools.  There will be a variety of learning disability and attention disorder subtypes analyzed and remediation methods discussed.  The book will use case studies to provide an interesting insight into cognitive remediation of learning differences.  Let me know if you would like to be on a list of individuals interested in purchasing this book when it comes out in December 2009.

I hope all of you have a wonderful 2009.  I hope to get more information out this year on neuroplasticity, learning disabilities and attention disorders.

All the best,

Howard