Evaluating an adapted reverse categorisation task to assess cognitive flexibility in young children with Down...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• Accurate cognitive skill measurement is crucial for Down syndrome (DS) research and interventions.
• Cognitive flexibility is a key area for study in young children with DS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a reverse categorisation measure for assessing cognitive flexibility in young children with DS.
• To determine the feasibility, developmental sensitivity, and preliminary reliability of this adapted measure.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-two children with DS (ages 2.5-8 years) completed an adapted reverse categorisation task.
• Retest reliability was assessed in 28 participants after a 2-week interval.

Main Results:

• The adapted measure demonstrated adequate feasibility in the target population.
• The task showed developmental sensitivity for assessing cognitive flexibility.
• Preliminary evidence for test-retest reliability was established.

Conclusions:

• The adapted reverse categorisation measure is a potentially valuable tool for developmental and intervention studies in young children with DS.
• This measure can aid in targeting early cognitive flexibility skills.
• Recommendations for its application in future research are provided.