Comparative Efficacy of Cognitive Retraining Techniques and Remedial Training in Children with Learning Disability.

Background : Computer-assisted cognitive retraining approaches that work on the principle of cerebral plasticity are by now established rehabilitation methods for various neuropsychiatric conditions including Learning Disability. Also, remedial education is considered to be an integral part of management of learning disability. Objectives: To compare the efficacy of cognitive retraining techniques and remedial education for enhancing academic performance of children with learning disability. Sample & Methods: Pre-Post experimental design study was carried out with forty children(between seven to ten years of age), with diagnosis of mixed disorder of scholastic skills (ICD-10). Subjects in Group1 (n=20) were given 36 hours of manualized CR package over 18weeks, consisting of activities for sustained attention, visuospatial skills, visual memory; and verbal learning and memory. Subjects in group 2 (n=20) were given 36-remedial education sessions. Pre and post intervention assessment; was done using NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning Disability, Grade Level Assessment Device(GLAD).SPSS version 12.0 was used for descriptive and analytical statistical analysis. Results: Highly significant improvement was noted in mathematics (p > 0.01) for Group 1. Also, there was significant improvement in Hindi language of Group 2 (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both-manualized cognitive retraining and remedial education over thirty six hours can help to partially improve scholastic performance in children with learning disability. The findings have implications for combining both the approaches for future educational curricula aiming at improved academic performance stemming from an enhanced skill base rather than from just educational based interventions.

Neuro-Cognitive Functioning in Children with Learning Difficulties.

Learning difficulties can occur due to complex interplay of factors that may reside in the child’s own constitution, temperament and cognitive abilities and/or in the background and quality of child’s schooling and/ or in family related factors that affect interactions and emotional well being of the child. Aims & Objectives: To study the neuro-cognitive functioning of children with learning difficulties . Method: Forty children studying in English medium schools in Delhi from Grade 2nd to 5th who were reported to be having learning difficulties. The children were divided into two groups (n=20, each.) One of the groups had children having learning disability. The other group had children with learning difficulties but without any diagnosable psychiatric/ emotional/ behavioural problems. All children were assessed for their intelligence, scholastic performance (on three basic subjects- Hindi, English and Mathematics)); Sustained attention; Verbal Working Memory, Visual Learning and Memory; Verbal Learning and Memory , Verbal Comprehension, Visuo-Constructive Ability and Visuo-Conceptual Skills. Conclusions:Both the groups had impairment in assessed neuro-cognitive skills. Children with learning disability had significantly poorer performance on tasks of sustained attention, visual memory and learning , delayed recall and visuo constructive skills. There were no differences among children on other assessed functions.