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The aim of the study was to examine how goal-setting skills of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be predicted with elements of working memory. The study involved 30 children with an ADHD diagnosis and 30 healthy volunteers. The IQ of the participants was assessed, and ADHD symptoms were evaluated by parents. Each of the elements of working memory was assessed with two measures as well as goal-setting skills. In the tests of the central executive and in one of the tests of the visuospatial sketch pad, children with ADHD performed more poorly than did controls but not in the tests of the phonological loop. Children with ADHD performed more poorly than controls did on the mastery scores of the goal-setting measures but not on the Strategy scores. According to regression analysis, central executive functions are critical for the variance in goal-setting skills in children with ADHD. (Contains 3 tables.)

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is recommended to be included in communication interventions directed at children/youth with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (S/PIMD). Even so, the evidence base for AAC practices with children with S/PIMD is limited. Also, little is known about how frequently AAC is implemented with this target group, which AAC tools and methods are applied, and the related clinical reasoning of speech-language pathologists (SLPs). This study aimed to explore SLPs' beliefs, clinical reasoning and practices in relation to AAC implementation with children/youth with S/PIMD. In this sequential, mixed-methods study, 90 SLPs working with children with disabilities within habilitation services in Sweden participated in an online survey. The survey answers were statistically analysed. Subsequently, focus group data were collected from seven SLPs and analysed using thematic analysis. Despite AAC being highly prioritized, SLPs found it challenging and complex to implement with this target group. A wide variety of AAC methods and tools were considered and implemented. Clinical decision-making was a balancing act between competing considerations and was mainly guided by the SLPs' individual, clinical experiences. The resources, engagement and wishes of the social network surrounding the child were considered crucial for clinical decision-making on AAC. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) seemingly find a wide variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), ranging from unaided methods to assistive technology of various complexity, to be potentially suitable for children/youth with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (S/PIMD). The motivation and preferences of the social network surrounding the child with S/PIMD seem to influence SLPs' clinical decision-making on AAC to a high degree. Sometimes this may be considered an even more important factor than the abilities of the child. SLPs' clinical decision-making on AAC for children/youth is guided by their individual, clinical experience to a high degree. An increase in family oriented AAC intervention research targeting individuals with S/PIMD could potentially strengthen the association between research and the current, experience-based clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This Finnish regional birth-cohort study compared the school performance of very preterm and full-term children when they reached 11 years of age.Methods: Teachers rated the educational abilities of 123 preterm children and 133 full-term controls at the age of 11 years as well as the support services they received. The children were all born in the Turku University Hospital between 2001 and 2005. In the preterm group, neurosensory impairments were confirmed at two years of corrected age, and full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ) was assessed at 11 years of age using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition.Results: Educational abilities, including academic skills and classroom functioning, did not differ between the two groups after excluding the children with a full-scale IQ < 70. However, 40% of the preterm group and 26% of the controls had received at least one support service (p <0.02). The 13 preterm children with a full-scale IQ <70 and the 10 with neurosensory impairment received more support services. Boys in both groups displayed more classroom-functioning problems than girls.Conclusion: A full-scale IQ ≥ 70 and age-appropriate educational abilities do not exclude a significant need for support services in very preterm children at the age of 11 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine how goal-setting skills of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be predicted with elements of working memory. The study involved 30 children with an ADHD diagnosis and 30 healthy volunteers. The IQ of the participants was assessed, and ADHD symptoms were evaluated by parents. Each of the elements of working memory was assessed with two measures as well as goal-setting skills. In the tests of the central executive and in one of the tests of the visuospatial sketch pad, children with ADHD performed more poorly than did controls but not in the tests of the phonological loop. Children with ADHD performed more poorly than controls did on the mastery scores of the goal-setting measures but not on the Strategy scores. According to regression analysis, central executive functions are critical for the variance in goal-setting skills in children with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]