Investigating the Patterns of Attention Performance in Children With Mathematical Learning Disorder, With Using “Test of Everyday Attention for Children”

Journal Title: Archives of Rehabilitation - Year 2018, Vol 19, Issue 1

Abstract

Objective Mathematical learning disorder is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder detected by three types of working memory deficits, procedural and visual-spatial problems. The limited capacity of attention and a lot of environmental stimuli have encountered children with learning disorders with the problems. Since attention is one of the most important cognitive functions in the development of mathematics learning, it is important to recognize and evaluate a variety of attention deficits in this group of disorders. Therefore, considering to the three-factor model of Manly, based on sustained attention, selective attention, and control attention, in this study difference of patterns of attention in children with mathematical learning disorder using “Test of Everyday Attention for Children” was investigated. Materials & Methods The present study was a descriptive-analytic study in a community of students aged 7-11 years with a learning disorder in Tehran, Iran. The selection was based on the early diagnosis of learning disorder with psychiatric and the standard intelligence scores of the Wechsler test in the academic records. Accordingly, 17 male and female students aged 7-11 years with the mathematical disorder were selected from five public learning centers in Tehran and 17 normal children were matched in age and gender. Initially, the demographic information questionnaire was completed by families. Then A version of “Test of everyday attention for children” was taken by the researcher during the standard period in the calming room. Accordingly, two groups with a mathematical learning disorder and normal peers were compared in three domains of sustained attention, selective, control in “Test of Everyday Attention for Children.” Results The results of the Shapiro-Wilk test indicated that the distribution of values of all variables, except “sky search dual task” (sustained attention) and the speed of “creatures counting” (control attention), have a normal distribution in the learning disorder group (P>0.05). While the values of variables such as “Score” (sustained attention), “Opposite worlds”, accuracy of “creatures counting” (control attention), and “walk don’t walk”(sustained attention) do not follow a normal distribution in the control group (P<0.05). In sustained attention and control attention domains, the results of the nonparametric tests indicated that have a significant difference in two groups in the subtests of “Score”, “walk don’t walk”, “sky search dual task”, “creatures counting” and "opposite worlds." Homogeneity of variances with the Leven test, reports that equality of variances. Accordingly, the results of independent t-test indicated that children with mathematical learning disorder were worse than the control group in the "Code Transition" and “Score Dual Task" subtests. In the domain of selective attention, the results of independent t-test indicated that significant difference in the subtests of "map mission" and the speed and accuracy of "sky search" in the two groups. Therefore, all domains of sustained and control attention (P<0.001) and selective attention (P<0.05) were significantly different in the two groups. Conclusion The results demonstrate that children with mathematical learning disorders were significantly worse than their normal peers in all three domains. Findings indicated that “Test of Everyday Attention for Children” has the potential to evaluate the attention deficits in mathematical learning disorder as compared with normal peers. Therefore, it can be an appropriate tool for the evaluation in this group.

Authors and Affiliations

Nasim Kasirian, Hooshang Mirzaie, Ebrahim Pishyareh, Mojgan Farahbod

Keywords

Related Articles

Effect of Different Intensities of Harsh Reliance of Auditory Stimulation on Static Balance in 5-12 Years Old Children With Cerebral Palsy in Tehran City, Iran

Objective control dysfunction is a serious problem in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This study aimed to investigate the impact of different intensities, harsh reliance of auditory stimulation on static balance in 5-...

Designing and Evaluating the Validity and Reliability of the Biofeedback Tool for Healthy People With Postural Kyphosis

Objective Kyphosis is one of the common abnormalities of the spine. However, correct preservation of the posture can play an important role in preventing and treating kyphosis. Biofeedback systems are among the methods u...

Occupational Performance Priorities of Children With Cerebral Palsy From the Parents’ Perspective

Objective Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of non-progressive disorders in a developing brain that results in motor problems and other limitations in daily living activities. The presence of motor functions in these childr...

The Effectiveness of Play Therapy on Deaf Children's Social Adaptation and Communication Skills

Objective Deafness is a disorder with many individual and interpersonal negative consequences. Therefore, proper measures should be taken to identify and implement effective programs and strategies to reduce the problems...

The Relationship Between Balance and Activities of Daily Living With the Quality of Life of Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Objective Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as a progressive disease has remarkable consequences on the patient’s Quality of Life. According to the surveys, the Quality of Life in the people with MS is lower than the healthy peopl...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP459371
  • DOI 10.21859/jrehab.19.1.76
  • Views 110
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Nasim Kasirian, Hooshang Mirzaie, Ebrahim Pishyareh, Mojgan Farahbod (2018). Investigating the Patterns of Attention Performance in Children With Mathematical Learning Disorder, With Using “Test of Everyday Attention for Children”. Archives of Rehabilitation, 19(1), -. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-459371