The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS): a method of assessing executive function in children
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3, Canada. zelazo@psych.utoronto.ca
Nature Protocols
|April 5, 2007
Summary
The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) assesses executive function development in children. Most 3-year-olds struggle with task switching, while 5-year-olds typically succeed, indicating cognitive flexibility maturation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive science
Background:
- Executive function is crucial for cognitive flexibility.
- The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) is a standard assessment tool.
- DCCS performance reveals developmental trajectories of cognitive control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the protocol for the standard and border versions of the DCCS.
- To highlight the DCCS's utility in assessing executive function across age groups.
- To underscore the DCCS's sensitivity to executive function deficits in clinical populations.
Main Methods:
- Administering the standard DCCS task involving sorting cards by color then shape.
- Administering the more challenging border DCCS version.
- Observing and quantifying perseverative errors and successful task switching.
Main Results:
- Three-year-olds typically exhibit perseveration, indicating cognitive inflexibility.
- Five-year-olds generally demonstrate successful switching, reflecting mature executive function.
- Impaired DCCS performance is observed in children with ADHD and autism.
Conclusions:
- The DCCS effectively measures executive function development from age 3.
- The DCCS protocol is adaptable for different age ranges and cognitive challenges.
- DCCS performance serves as a valuable indicator of cognitive flexibility and its impairments.
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