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Executive Functions and Special Educational Needs and Their Relationship with School-Age Learning Difficulties
Juan Manuel Núñez1, Ana Soto-Rubio2, Marián Pérez-Marín3
1Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 27, 2024
Summary
Children with special educational needs (SEN) show significantly weaker executive functions, impacting reading and math skills. Early interventions targeting these executive function deficits are crucial for academic success.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Executive functions are critical for academic success in school-aged children.
- Understanding the link between executive functions and special educational needs (SEN) is vital for effective interventions.
- This study investigates executive function profiles in primary students with and without SEN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between executive functions and SEN in primary school students.
- To identify differences in executive function profiles between students with and without SEN.
- To assess the impact of executive function deficits on learning difficulties in reading and mathematics.
Main Methods:
- 123 primary school students (aged 6-12) participated.
- Executive functions were assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2).
- Reading and mathematics difficulties were evaluated using the Prediscal test; clinical and sociodemographic data were collected.
Main Results:
- Students with SEN demonstrated significantly impaired executive function profiles in family and school settings.
- Key affected areas included cognitive flexibility, working memory, and organization.
- Deficits in executive functions were strongly correlated with poorer performance in reading and mathematics.
Conclusions:
- Executive functions play a critical role in understanding and addressing SEN and learning difficulties.
- Comprehensive assessment and early intervention for executive function deficits are essential.
- Targeting executive functions can support the academic and overall development of students with SEN.
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