Working Memory Against Neuropsychological And Behavioral Profiles in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

ABSTRACT

Background: Very few studies have attempted to investigate working memory (WM) in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). This study seeks to profile WM in children with NDD against their matched, typically developing children (TDC), all belonging to high socioeconomic status (SES) families. Secondary assessment of gender differences, if any, was also attempted. Profile analysis of certain domains in neuropsychological and behavioural functioning for the children is delineated. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional 2-group comparison design by drawing a purposive sample of 84 children (42 in each group of NDD and TDC) in 6 to 8 years from across Bangalore city, India. We recruited the groups by matching them on intelligence, developmental skills, and SES. Assessment of WM was using verbal and visual n-back and spatial span tasks. Results: The study depicted significant differences between the children of the groups in accuracy scores for the tasks. Errors from the n-back tasks showed significant differences, mostly in omission errors. We reported effect size and the probability of superior (PS) outcomes. We did not observe gender differences in the NDD group. Although, we have highlighted differences in profiles of neuropsychological and behavior functions between the groups. Discussion: This dwells on the aspects that might have caused WM's observed deficits and explains the differences in these children's neuropsychological and behavior profiles. Conclusion: WM differs significantly between children with NDD and TDC. However, we have not found differences in WM performance and gender in the NDD group.