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Assessing cognitive functioning in females with Rett syndrome by eye-tracking methodology
Jaana Ahonniska-Assa1, Orli Polack2, Einat Saraf3
1Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; School of Behavioral Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv Jaffo, Tel Aviv Jaffo, Israel.
Summary
Eye-tracking technology (ETT) helps children with severe motor and speech impairments communicate and be assessed more reliably. Early ETT practice improves communication quality for better learning and assessment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Assistive Technology
Background:
- Many individuals with severe developmental impairments struggle with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
- Eye-tracking technology (ETT) offers potential for improved communication transparency and cognitive assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if ETT in forced-choice tasks allows consistent responses from children with severe motor and speech impairments.
- To determine if ETT enables more reliable assessment of language comprehension in this population.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen girls with Rett syndrome (mean age 6:06 years) participated.
- Participants practiced eye-gaze responses using ETT with computer games.
- Receptive vocabulary was assessed using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-4 (PPVT-4) with ETT-based picture selection.
Main Results:
- ETT revealed significant differences in receptive vocabulary among participants.
- 32% exhibited low-average to mild cognitive impairment; 68% showed moderate to severe impairment.
- Younger age at assessment correlated positively with higher receptive vocabulary.
Conclusions:
- ETT enhances the understandability of communication signals from children with severe impairments.
- Early ETT practice can improve communication quality and lead to more reliable assessment results.