Developmental associations between cognition and adaptive behavior in intellectual and developmental disability

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) involve cognitive and adaptive behavior challenges.
• Previous studies show cross-sectional links between cognition and adaptive behavior in IDDs.
• Longitudinal associations between developmental changes in cognition and adaptive behavior remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal association between changes in cognitive abilities and adaptive behavior domains over two years in children, adolescents, and young adults with IDDs.
• To determine if changes in specific cognitive domains predict changes in adaptive behavior domains, and vice versa.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 263 participants (aged 6-26) with various IDDs (fragile X, Down syndrome, idiopathic).
• Cognitive assessments (NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery) and adaptive behavior assessments (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-3) were conducted over a two-year period.
• Bivariate latent change score (BLCS) models were used to analyze the associations between developmental changes in cognitive and adaptive behavior domains.

Main Results:

• Over two years, changes in crystallized and total cognition were significantly associated with changes in daily living skills.
• Higher baseline cognitive levels predicted growth in adaptive behavior.
• Baseline adaptive behavior did not predict cognitive growth.

Conclusions:

• Developmental changes in cognition and adaptive behavior are interconnected in individuals with IDDs.
• Improvements in daily living skills (DLS) were particularly associated with cognitive gains.
• Findings support the clinical relevance of cognitive changes measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery in IDDs and its utility as an outcome measure.