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Developmental Tests (developmental + test)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

Are the cognitive functions of children with Down syndrome related to their participation?

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2010
TANYA RIHTMAN
Aim, There is a lack of investigation into the functional developmental profile of children with Down syndrome. On the basis of current international health paradigms, the purpose of this study was to assess the developmental profile of these children. Method, Sixty children (33 males, 27 females) with Down syndrome (age range 6,16y; mean age 9y 3mo, SD 28.8mo), who had received standard, holistic, early intervention, were assessed. Of these, 42 (70%) had congenital anomalies, 12 had severe congenital heart defects. Participants were assessed on measures of cognitive function (Beery,Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual,Motor Integration; Stanford,Binet Intelligence Scale) and participation (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales). Results, No difference was found on any measure on the basis of severity of congenital anomaly. Results showed improvements in age-related body function and correlations between specific body functions and participation. No decline in IQ was found with age, and significant correlations between IQ and all other measures were noted. Although sex differences were found in the body functions of short-term memory and motor function, no difference in measures of activity performance and participation was found. Interpretation, Our findings emphasize the need for paediatric Down syndrome intervention to encourage improved body functions while emphasizing the acquisition of functional skills that enable enhanced participation in age-appropriate activities. [source]

A developmental test of the general deviance syndrome with adjudicated girls and boys using hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2003
Marc Le Blanc PhD (Criminology)
Background Over the last 40 years, numerous studies have proposed that various deviant behaviours are part of a latent construct now labelled ,general deviance' by criminologists or ,problem behaviour' by psychologists. During that period, many studies have documented the presence of specific forms of deviance. However, no study has tested these two opposing views simultaneously, particularly with longitudinal data. Aims The objectives of this paper are the cross-cultural replication of the construct of general deviance for a French-speaking adjudicated sample of girls and boys and, specifically, the developmental replication of the general deviance syndrome. Method The age of onset is used as a developmental indicator of deviance instead of measures of participation or frequency. Results The results of EQS hierarchical confirmatory factor analyses supported the existence of the construct of general deviance. In addition, there is no gender gap in the structure of the general deviance syndrome. This paper reports a comprehensive test of the general deviance syndrome because of the use of 45 deviant behaviours and nine types of deviance classified into four categories. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source]

Early predictors of antisocial developmental pathways among boys and girls

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2010
M. Pitzer
Objective:, We investigated in a high-risk sample the differential impact of biological and psychosocial risk factors on antisocial behaviour pathways. Method:, One hundred and thirty-eight boys and 155 girls born at differing degrees of obstetric and psychosocial risk were examined from birth until adolescence. Childhood temperament was assessed by a highly-structured parent-interview and standardized behavioural observations, adolescent temperament was measured by self-report. Neurodevelopmental variables were assessed by age-specific developmental tests. Emotional and behaviour problems were measured at the ages of 8 and 15 by the Achenbach scales. Results:, In both genders, psychosocial adversity and early self-control temperament were strongly associated with early-onset persistent (EOP) antisocial behaviour. Psychosocial adversity and more severe externalizing problems differentiated the EOP from childhood-limited (CL) pathway. In girls, adolescent-onset (AO) antisocial behaviour was strongly associated with novelty seeking at 15 years. Conclusion:, Our findings emphasize the need for early support and intervention in psychosocially disadvantaged families. [source]

Developmental outcomes in early compared with delayed surgery for glue ear up to age 7 years: a randomised controlled trial

CLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
A.J. Hall
Objectives:, To investigate whether early versus delayed surgery for children severely affected by otitis media with effusion (OME) results in improved performance on developmental tests up to age 7 years. Design:, Follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. Setting:, University of Bristol. Participants:, One hundred and eighty-two children (mean age 35 months) with persistent OME, hearing loss and speech, language or behaviour problems who were originally eligible and randomised to either early surgery or delayed surgery after a period of watchful waiting were followed-up as part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) at age 4½ and 7,8 years. Main outcome measures:, Measures included behaviour, language, educational attainment tests, hearing, reading, cognition and coordination. Results:, Of the original randomised trial, 88 of 92 of the early surgery and 74 of 90 of the watchful waiting group were still participating in ALSPAC. Analysis was by intention to treat. At age 4 ½ years there were significant differences in teacher assessment of language (adj OR 3.45, 95% CI: 1.42,8.39) and writing (adj OR 3.74, 95% CI: 1.51,9.27), in favour of early surgery. At age 7,8 years, there was a significant difference on teacher report of emotional problems (adj OR 4.11, 95% CI: 1.15,14.64) in favour of early surgery. There were no other significant differences. Conclusions:, Early surgery for the child severely affected by OME may be associated with subtle benefits at age 4½ years. This may continue to 7,8 years but the small study size makes it difficult to distinguish these effects from chance. A larger study is recommended. [source]