John McNamara

Department Chair and Professor

905-688-5550 x3835
john.mcnamara@brocku.ca

Dr. McNamara is an educational psychologist interested in studying young children with learning and reading disabilities. Currently his research involves working with various agencies across to Province to develop and implement literacy intervention programs for vulnerable readers. Dr. McNamara also leads his LD Research Team in a number of applied research projects aimed at better understanding reading and reading disabilities.

Dr McNamara is currently the principal investigator on a SSHRC Insight Grant funded initiative to study Reading Rocks – A literacy approach to support and motivate vulnerable readers.

Research Interests

  • Children with Language and Learning Disabilities
  • Early Identification and Prevention of Reading Problems
  • Neurological and Environmental Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Dyslexia
  • Developmental Health of Children with Reading Disabilities

Publications and collections

  • Kerr, S., Scruton, H., & McNamara, J. (2015). A Cross-Sectional Study of Reading Rocks: An Approach to Support and Motivate Vulnerable Readers. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 4(6), 142-145.
  • Scruton, H., & McNamara, J. (2015). An Interactionist Approach to Learning Disabilities. International Journal of Education, 7(4), 1-5.
  • McNamara, J. (2014). Using Motivational Tactics to Support Children with Reading Disabilities. International Journal of Elementary Education, 3(4), 92-97.
  • Scruton, H. & McNamara, J. K. (2014). A summer literacy program for children with learning disabilities. British Journal of Education and Behavioural Sciences, 4(3), 375-382
  • Holtzheuser, S., McNamara, J.K., Short, A., & Keay, C. (2013). Reading Rocks Junior: An exploratory study of an emergent literacy program for children at-risk for learning disabilities. International Journal of Elementary Education, 1 (1), 1–17.
  • McNamara, J. K., & Scissons, M. (2012). A longitudinal study of kindergarten children at-risk for reading disabilities: The poor really are getting poorer. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(4), 1 – 10.
  • Graham, A., McNamara, J. K., & Van Lankveld, J. (2011). Sustainability of a Family Literacy Program for Vulnerable Learners: A Follow-up Study of an Exploratory Study of a Summer Literacy Program for Kindergarten Children At-risk for Reading Difficulties. Exceptionalities Education International, 21 (1)
  • Graham, A., McNamara, J. K., & Van Lankveld, J. (2010). Closing the Summer Learning Gap for Vulnerable Learners: An Exploratory Study of a Summer Literacy Program for Kindergarten Children At-risk for Reading Difficulties. Early Child Development and Care, May 2010 (iFirst).
  • McNamara, J.K., & Willoughby, T. (2010). A longitudinal study of risk taking behaviours in adolescents with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 25 (1), 11-24.
  • McNamara, J. K., Van Lankveld, J., Vervaeke, S.L., & Gutknecht, N. (2010). A study of preschool children with speech and language delays. Journal of Applied Research on Learning, 3 (1).
  • McNamara, J. K., Vervaeke, S.L., & Willoughby, T. (2008). Learning disabilities and risk-taking behaviour in adolescents: A comparison of those with and without comorbid attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41, 561-574.
  • McNamara, J. K., Vervaeke, S.L., & Van Lankveld, J. (2008). An exploratory study of emergent literacy intervention for preschool children with language impairments. Education Exceptionalities International, 18 (1), 9 – 32 .
  • McNamara, J.K., Willoughby, T., & Chalmers, H. (2008). Learning disabilities and risk-taking behaviour in adolescents: A comparison of those with and without comorbid attentiondeficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Learning Disabilities,41(6).