ERIC Number: EJ1436925
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Sep
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0829-5735
EISSN: EISSN-2154-3984
Math Abilities among Children with Neurodevelopmental Difficulties: Understanding Cognitive Factors and Evaluating a Pilot Intervention
Danielle Mattson; Kathryn Kryska; Jacqueline Pei; Claire Coles; Julie Kable; Molly Millians; Gail Andrew; Damien Cormier; Carmen Rasmussen
Canadian Journal of School Psychology, v39 n3 p247-265 2024
Math development in children relies on several underlying cognitive functions, including executive functions (EF), working memory (WM), and visual-motor abilities, such as visual-motor integration (VMI). Understanding how these cognitive factors contribute to children's math performance is critical to supporting math learning and long-term math success. The present quasi-experimental waitlist control study (N = 28) aimed to (a) examine the unique contributions of EF, WM, and VMI to math abilities among children ages 5-8 years old with neurodevelopmental difficulties; (b) determine whether a math intervention (the Mathematics Interactive Learning Experience; MILE) that supports these cognitive processes was effective when modified to be delivered to small groups in a school setting, and (c) examine whether any participant characteristics, such as age or IQ, were correlated with post-intervention math score changes. At baseline, participants' math scores were significantly below the normative mean in all math content areas (ps < 0.01). EF, WM, and VMI were highly correlated with math ability; however, verbal WM was the only unique predictor of math ability in regressions analysis. Compared to a waitlist control group, children in the immediate MILE intervention group achieved significantly greater math gains overall. When all children who ultimately completed the intervention were considered together, significant improvement was observed in more than half of math content areas. Furthermore, at the individual level, 85.7% of participants showed reliable change in at least one math content area. Implications for supporting math learning in children with neurodevelopmental difficulties are discussed.
Descriptors: Mathematical Aptitude, Children, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Cognitive Processes, Evaluation, Pilot Projects, Executive Function, Short Term Memory, Perceptual Motor Coordination, Intervention, Small Group Instruction, Age, Intelligence Quotient, Correlation, Elementary School Mathematics, Teaching Methods
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A