Unpacking the Heterogeneity of Cognitive Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Determining the Role of Moderators and Strengths

Autor: Dawa Samdup, Tim F. Oberlander, Ana Hanlon-Dearman, Kaitlyn McLachlan, James N. Reynolds, Christine Loock, Carmen Rasmussen, Gail Andrew, Elodie Portales-Casamar, Sarah M. Nikkel, Katrina Kully-Martens, Paul Pavlidis, Audrey McFarlane, Angelina Paolozza, Jacqueline Pei
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Zdroj: Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. 1:271-282
ISSN: 2366-7540
2366-7532
DOI: 10.1007/s41252-017-0034-4
Popis: Children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience significant impairments in cognitive functioning, though substantial within-group heterogeneity is often observed. The purpose of this study was to characterize the cognitive profile of children and adolescents with FASD with a special focus on examining moderators of functioning and cognitive strengths. Children and adolescents with FASD (n = 87) and controls (n = 110), ages 5 to 18 years completed a cognitive test battery. MANOVA was used to evaluate between-group cognitive differences, as well as the role of age and gender as potential moderators. Relative strengths were evaluated using both within-subject and between-group methods. Participants with FASD were found to show significant impairment on all cognitive tasks relative to controls, with substantial deficits evident on a measure of mathematical skill. Though neither age nor gender emerged as moderators, significant three-way interactions between age, gender, and group were evident on measures of executive functioning (inhibition), verbal memory, and word identification. Tasks measuring higher-order complex attention and visuospatial processing emerged as possible relative strengths in the FASD group. Children and adolescents with FASD had significant cognitive impairment across multiple domains confirming high need for interventions. Differences in the cognitive functioning for boys and girls with FASD at different developmental periods, along with relative strengths, may serve to inform interventions and future longitudinal research.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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