Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and memory
Date
2004
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Abstract
Memory (modalities and processes) was assessed in 25 children (15 males, 10 females) with a primary diagnosis of a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) based on the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code (Astley & Clarren, 1997). Participants ranged in age from 8 to 16 years. Memory modalities and processes were measured using the Children's Memory Scale (CMS) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition - as a Process Instrument (WISC-III-Pl).
Results suggested that children with FASD performed significantly better on tasks involving visual memory as opposed to verbal memory. Overall cognitive abilities were not predictive of overall memory abilities. Verbal cognitive abilities (Verbal Intelligence Quotient, VIQ, and Verbal Comprehension Index, VCI), however, were correlated with immediate and delayed verbal memory, and nonverbal cognitive abilities (Performance Intelligence Quotient, PIQ, and Perceptual Organization Index, POI) were correlated with immediate visual memory, but not delayed visual memory. Further, when attention was controlled, scores on verbal immediate memory predicted scores on verbal delayed memory, and scores on visual immediate memory predicted scores on visual delayed memory. Finally, the findings of this study suggest that the memory deficits children with FASD experience may not occur at the retrieval level. Encoding level deficits are suspected however further investigation is necessary. Implications for future research as well as practical educational applicability are discussed.
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Bibliography: p. 100-113
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Citation
Henriksson, L. (2004). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and memory (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/14921