«Cognitus & Moi»: A Computer-Based Cognitive Remediation Program for Children with Intellectual Disability.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Rehabilitation

Background:

• Cognitive deficits (attentional, visuospatial, social) negatively affect children's adaptive and social skills.
• A lack of specialized cognitive remediation tools for children's attentional and visuospatial deficits exists.
• The "Cognitus & Moi" program addresses this gap with a tailored approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the "Cognitus & Moi" program, a novel cognitive remediation tool for children.
• To outline the program's structure, methodology, and target cognitive domains.
• To highlight the program's potential in improving children's daily functioning.

Main Methods:

• The "Cognitus & Moi" program utilizes a combination of computerized and paper/pencil exercises.
• It incorporates a strategy coaching approach and metacognitive strategies.
• The program involves 16 one-hour sessions with a therapist, including home-based tasks.

Main Results:

• The program targets specific attentional (hearing, visual, divided, double attention) and visuospatial (eye tracking, spatial orientation, construction, imagery) components.
• Sessions include computerized tasks, pen-and-paper exercises, and facial emotion recognition.
• Weekly home tasks are designed to promote strategy transfer to daily life.

Conclusions:

• "Cognitus & Moi" is a promising tool for addressing attentional and visuospatial deficits in children.
• The program's individualized and metacognitive approach supports adaptation to daily life challenges.
• It facilitates the transfer and automation of learned strategies through consistent practice.