Investigating the efficacy of an attention training programme in children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) often experience significant attention deficits.
• These attention deficits can negatively impact academic and cognitive functioning.
• Targeted interventions are needed to address these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a direct intervention program, the Computerized Progressive Attention Training (CPAT), for improving attention in children with FASD.
• To assess the impact of CPAT on broader cognitive functions beyond attention.

Main Methods:

• The study involved ten children aged 6-15 diagnosed with FASD.
• Participants completed an average of 16 hours of CPAT intervention over approximately 9 weeks.
• The CPAT program featured adaptive difficulty levels and was supported by a research assistant providing metacognitive strategies.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in sustained attention and selective attention following the intervention.
• Measures of spatial working memory, math fluency, and reading fluency also showed significant increases.
• These findings suggest a positive correlation between improved attention and enhanced cognitive performance.

Conclusions:

• Computerized attention training, such as CPAT, can be an effective component of intervention strategies for children with FASD.
• The results support the use of technology-based approaches to improve cognitive outcomes in this population.
• Further research can explore long-term effects and optimal delivery methods for attention training in FASD.