The route learning ability of young people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their able-bodied peers

The ability to find our way about in the environment is taken for granted by older children and adults, the majority of whom find no major difficulties with this task. It is generally accepted that the ability to mentally "map" our environment is developmental, conceptual understanding of space being based upon accurate perceptions. It might therefore be expected that perceptual deficit could affect the ability to form cognitive maps and lead to way finding difficulties. This paper investigates the "cognitive mapping" ability of 9 young adults disabled by spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their able-bodied controls. All Ss were clinically assessed for nonverbal reasoning ability, spatial ability, left-right orientation and memory skills. Each person was driven along two routes, route learning being assessed by (a) directing a driver along the routes (b) marking the routes on sketch maps and (c) drawing freehand sketch maps of the routes. Results indicated that although the able-bodied groups performed better on reasoning and spatial tests, general reasoning ability and mobility experiences were more important than level of perceptual skill alone for route learning in a real life situation. The importance of environmental experiences and independence training for mobility during childhood for those with spina bifida and hydrocephalus is stressed.