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Mathematical Competencies in Students With Intellectual Disability: Correlations With Intelligence, Working Memory,
1Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany.
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Cognitive factors like fluid intelligence and visual-spatial working memory (WM) are key predictors of early math skills in students with intellectual disability (ID). Understanding these links can help improve educational support for children with ID.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Special Education
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Early mathematical competencies are vital for students with intellectual disability (ID).
- Limited research exists on the cognitive predictors of mathematical skills in this population.
- Understanding these predictors is crucial for targeted educational interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between early mathematical competencies and cognitive factors (intelligence, working memory) in students with ID.
- To explore the role of fluid intelligence and visual-spatial working memory (WM) in mathematical development.
- To examine the influence of years of schooling on these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional design involving 76 primary school students with ID.
- Assessment of quantity-number competencies, fluid intelligence, and visual-spatial WM.
- Statistical analyses including correlations and quantile regression.
Main Results:
- Fluid intelligence demonstrated a consistent positive association with mathematical competencies across all performance levels.
- Visual-spatial WM exhibited a significant impact, particularly for students with lower mathematical achievement.
- Years of schooling did not emerge as a primary cognitive predictor in this study.
Conclusions:
- Fluid intelligence and visual-spatial WM are significant cognitive predictors of mathematical competencies in students with ID.
- Interventions should consider targeting these cognitive skills to enhance mathematical learning.
- Further research is needed to explore longitudinal effects and other potential factors.
Keywords:
Cognitive predictorsearly mathematical competenciesintellectual disabilityquantity-number competenciesMore Related Videos
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