Mapping Mind-Brain Development: Towards a Comprehensive Theory

Longitudinal perspective on nonverbal intelligence development in young children with developmental language disorder

BACKGROUND

Nonverbal intelligence has been linked to language impairments and adaptational outcomes in clinical populations. However, the development of nonverbal intelligence in conjunction with language difficulties is still poorly understood.

AIMS

This study aims to characterize the progression of nonverbal intelligence in young children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

This study collected data from medical records of children seen in a child psychiatric clinic. The sample consisted of 71 children diagnosed with DLD who had completed two Wechsler scale assessments. The first assessment took place at the mean age of 4:11 years, and the second at the mean age of 8:2 years.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Three groups were formed according to the evolution of nonverbal intelligence: decrease (n = 22), increase (n = 21), and stability (n = 28). Multivariate analyses of covariance indicated that initial verbal and nonverbal intellectual skills, multilingualism, and age distinguished these three groups and effects were medium to large. Children in the increasing path are significantly younger and have significantly lower initial verbal and nonverbal intellectual skills.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Evolution of nonverbal development in children with DLD seems highly variable. More studies are needed, but very young children with DLD may not be able to demonstrate their full intellectual potential in standardized Weschler assessments. It would be advisable to continue to follow the evolution of their abilities with caution to personalize interventions.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a diagnosis directly related to expressive and receptive language difficulties. Therefore, assessment and intervention are focused on verbal and language ability. Children with DLD also seem to have nonverbal cognitive weaknesses, but the understanding of nonverbal development in this population is limited. Among school-aged children, a great deal of variation in nonverbal abilities according to age is observed, possibly linked to the type of assessment used. Nonverbal intelligence has been related to functional outcomes in children, adolescents, and adults with DLD, thus warranting further investigation. This paper explores different nonverbal intelligence developmental evolutions of children from diverse ethnic groups, ensuring representation from large urban areas, and the clinical factors related to those trajectories. Three developmental profiles were differentiated: increase (29.6 %), stability (39.4 %), and decrease (31 %), which were distinguished by initial verbal and nonverbal intelligence as well as age. Having weaker verbal and nonverbal intelligence and being younger were associated with increasing nonverbal intelligence between the two time points. Development of nonverbal intelligence seems highly variable among preschoolers diagnosed with DLD who consulted in a clinical setting, with children being just as likely to improve, maintain, or decrease in ability. These findings may also indicate that nonverbal intelligence assessments may not capture the true nonverbal potential of younger children with DLD, especially when they show an array of difficulties. More research is needed to understand the different trajectories of nonverbal development, but current results encourage caution in the intellectual assessments of children with DLD.

The typical and atypical developing mind: a common model

We present a theory of atypical development based on a developmental theory of the typical mind integrating developmental, cognitive, and psychometric theory and research. The paper comprises three parts. First, it outlines the theory of typical development. The theory postulates central cognitive mechanisms, such as relational integration, executive and inferential processes, and domain-specific processes underlying different environmental relations, such as visuospatial or quantitative relations. Cognitive development advances in cycles satisfying developmental priorities in mastering these systems, such as executive control from 2-6 years, inferential control from 7-11 years, and truth control from 12-18 years. Second, we discuss atypical development, showing how each neurodevelopmental disorder emerges from deficiencies in one or more of the processes comprising the architecture of the mind. Deficiencies in relational integration mechanisms, together with deficiencies in social understanding, yield autism spectrum disorder. Deficiencies in executive processes yield attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Deficiencies in symbolic representation yield specialized learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. Finally, we discuss clinical and educational implications, suggesting the importance of early diagnosis of malfunctioning in each of these dimensions and specific programs for their remediation.

Effect of Mind Mapping Combined With Behavior Rating Scale on Medical Compliance Behavior of Atrial Fibrillation Patients Underwent Radiofrequency Ablation

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation require diligent postoperative care for optimal outcomes. This study investigated the impact of combining mind mapping with behavior rating scales on medical compliance behavior in this population.

METHODS

A total of 108 AF patients post-radiofrequency ablation were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 54) or an intervention group (n = 54). Both groups received standard education, while the intervention group additionally received education using mind mapping and behavior rating scales. Compliance was assessed using a medical compliance behavior scale at baseline, discharge, and 1- to 3-month follow-ups.

RESULTS

The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher medication compliance rates at discharge (86.9% vs. 65.9%, p = 0.027), 1 month (73.9% vs. 46.8%, p = 0.011), and 3 months (60.9% vs. 36.2%, p = 0.023) compared to the control group. They also scored higher in medical compliance behavior across all dimensions and had improved quality of life scores at 3 months post-discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating mind mapping with behavior rating scales into post-radiofrequency ablation care significantly enhances medication compliance, medical compliance behavior, and quality of life among AF patients.

Metacognitive and Non-Metacognitive Processes in Arithmetic Performance: Can There Be More than One Meta-Level?

The nature of the development of arithmetic performance has long been intensively studied, and available scientific evidence can be evaluated and synthesized in light of Nelson and Narens’ model of metacognition. According to the Nelson–Narens model, human cognition can be split into two or more interrelated levels. Obviously, in the case of more than two levels, cognitive processes from at least one level can be described as both meta- and object-level processes. The question arises whether it is possible that the very same cognitive processes are both controlled and controlling. The feasibility of owning the same cognitive processes—which are considered the same from an external point of view of assessment—as both meta- and object-level processes within the same individual opens the possibility of investigating the transition from meta-level to object-level. Modeling cognitive development by means of a series of such transitions calls forth an understanding of possible developmental phases in a given domain of learning. The developmental phases of arithmetic performance are described as a series of transitions from arithmetical facts to strategies of arithmetic word problem solving. For school learning and instruction, the role of metacognitive scaffolding as a powerful educational approach is emphasized.

Reading to learn? The co-development of mathematics and reading during primary school

Understanding how early reading and mathematics co-develop is important from both theoretical and pedagogical standpoints. Previous research has provided mixed results. This paper investigates the development of reading and mathematics in a longitudinal sample of N = 355,883 students from the United Kingdom (2005-2019) aged 5 to 12 (49% girls). Results indicate a positive relation between the development of the two domains. In addition, a substantial statistically significant positive association between prior reading scores and subsequent changes in achievement in mathematics was found, whereas changes in reading were smaller for students with a higher prior performance in mathematics. The findings suggest that acquiring good reading skills is highly relevant for developing mathematics skills. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Clinical presentations of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents: comparison of neurocognitive performance

This study aimed to compare performance in working memory (WM), processing speed (PRS), and attention measures in children and adolescents with typical development (TD) and with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (inattentive [ADHD-I] or combined [ADHD-C]) presentations, and to determine the predictive ability of the measures mentioned to discriminate between ADHD presentations and TD. 260 children and adolescents, 138 with ADHD (70 ADHD-I and 68 ADHD-C) and 122 TD in two age cohorts (8-12 years; 13-16 years), were assessed with WM and PRS indexes of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) and the d2 attention test. Significant differences between ADHD and TD groups in the WISC-IV GAI scores were found in children but not in adolescents. Children and adolescents with both ADHD presentations performed poorly on the PRS index, while on the WM index only children exhibited difficulties. In the attention test, children with ADHD-C showed more impulsivity and more difficulties for processing speed, concentration and accuracy than ADHD-I and TD. In addition, both ADHD presentations had higher inattention scores than TD. ADHD adolescents performed worse than TD in processing speed, concentration and accuracy. ADHD groups showed more impulsivity and inattention than TD. Digit Span and Symbol Search (WISC-IV) and processing speed and accuracy (d2) successfully classified ADHD and TD in children, but in adolescents, only coding (WISC-IV) and accuracy (d2) successfully classified ADHD presentations and TD. The WISC-IV and d2 yield neuropsychological profiles which reflect age-related cognitive changes and may allow the adaptation of more tailored early interventions for ADHD.