Project
Mathematics Development in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Carmen Rasmussen, University of Alberta, phone: (780) 492-5262, email: carmen@ualberta.ca
Co-investigators and contact info: Jeff Bisanz, Professor of Psychology. University of Alberta, phone: (780)492-5258, email: jbisanz@ualberta.ca
Start/End Date: Dec 2004 to August 2006
Location: Department of Psychology, University of Alberta
Brief Description: The goal of this research is to evaluate math and pre-math skills as well as working memory in young children with FASD. First, we are assessing how children with FASD compare to population norms on standardised tests of mathematics and working memory. This comparison is important for determining whether our sample does indeed show working memory and mathematics deficits as evident in other research and will help to identify any profile of strength and weakness. The second issue is to determine whether working memory is related to mathematics performance in children with FASD. This issue is addressed by examining correlations between the working memory and mathematics batteries. Third, we are examining these working memory math relations in more detail in hopes to determine whether different components of working memory are differentially related to performance on various arithmetic problems (nonverbal and verbal) and whether these relations change with age.
This research will help understand what types of math problems are most difficult for children with FASD and to determine if poor memory affects math performance. Thus, the results of this study will increase our knowledge of how children with FASD learn math and may aide in the diagnosis and treatment of children with FASD. This information may be useful for modifying instruction to help children with FASD in math and memory tasks.
Time Frame: completed
Kind of Project: research
Population Served: Children with FASD
Publications: Rasmussen C & Bisanz J (2007). Mathematics and working memory in young children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Manuscript under review
Rasmussen C & Bisanz J (2006). Mathematics and working memory development in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 20, 231A
Rasmussen C & Bisanz J (June 2006). Mathematics and working memory development in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Paper presented at the Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA) annual convention, Baltimore, MD
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