Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Feigned intellectual deficits on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised
- Authors:
- JOHNSTONE Lorraine, COOKE David J.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 42(3), September 2003, pp.303-318.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The article's objective was to examine whether individuals instructed to fake intellectual impairment on the WAIS-R employed common faking tactics and to assess the accuracy of detection of faking tactics employed. Two groups of participants were instructed to fake 'mental handicap' on the WAIS-R. The first group included incarcerated young offenders and the second group included postgraduate students and research fellows from a university psychology department. Both groups produced faked mean IQ scores within the 'mental retardation' range. There were, however, unusual features in the answers of both groups, including unusual error types. The faking tactics employed were readily detected. The results suggest that an individual's WAIS-R performance should be interpreted with due consideration given to both the quantitative and the qualitative aspects of their presentation.
A systematic review of cognitive decline in the general elderly population
- Authors:
- PARK Helen L., O'CONNELL Janice O., THOMSON Richard G.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(12), December 2003, pp.1121-1134.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim was to establish the rate of age-related cognitive decline in the general elderly population. Systematic review of studies of cognitive decline in the general elderly population. Medline, Embase and PsycINFO databases were searched using an adapted version of McMaster's aetiology, causation and harm strategies and the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Group strategy. Grey literature was explored and experts contacted. A second observer was involved at all stages and quality appraisal of included studies was performed. Included studies were representative, community-based, cohort studies of people aged over 60, incorporating individuals with dementia. Identification of 5990 abstracts and retrieval of 163 full texts led to inclusion of 19 papers. Heterogeneity made narrative review the appropriate method of data synthesis. Some degree of cognitive impairment with increasing age was found in all studies, although the extent varied. The prevalence of cognitive impairment and the rate of decline increased with age. Studies were of variable quality. Cognitive decline is almost universal in the general elderly population and increases with age. Improved communication between researchers and between clinicians to identify a core minimum data set of neuropsychological tests that could be used in different populations would support consistent study design and meta-analysis, helping to quantify the true rate of cognitive decline in the elderly and assisting diagnosis in clinical practice.
A longitudinal study of neuropsychological change in individuals with Parkinson's disease
- Authors:
- AZUMA Tamiko, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(12), December 2003, pp.1115-1120.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Neuropsychological changes in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) were studied longitudinally. Sixty-nine idiopathic PD patients, with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores falling within normal range, and 37 elderly control participants were given neuropsychological tests twice approximately two years apart. The PD group performed poorer than the control group on Semantic Fluency, Letter Fluency, Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, and Block Design at test time 1. Two years later, the PD group showed significant decline in Semantic and Letter Fluency. A subset of 12 PD patients declined in mental status by second testing (>4 MMSE points). Cox proportional-hazards models were used to see if any baseline measures were associated with relative risk of decline in mental status. In the final model, Repetition performance and Age were significantly associated with cognitive decline. Consistent with previous studies, executive function tasks were those most susceptible to disease progression.
Sex matters in autism and other developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- THOMPSON Travis, CARUSO Mary, ELLERBECK Kathryn
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities, 7(4), December 2003, pp.345-362.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Researchers have paid little attention to gender differences in developmental disabilities aside from the purpose of establishing prevalence. Yet, studying sex differences in the incidence and presentation of developmental disability and mental health disorders may contribute to our understanding of the neural circuitry and neurochemistry of both the normal and the abnormal brain. Furthermore, investigation into gender difference may have practical implications, as we may need to design sex-specific interventions for persons with developmental disability. In this article, we first review sex differences in typically developing children as well as some of the literature on the biology proposed to explain those differences. The authors then explore differences in prevalence and presentation of several developmental and mental health disorders as they may relate to biological mechanisms-with special attention to autism. Finally, the authors look at research needs as they relate to sex in developmental disability.
Quality of life and real life cognitive functioning
- Author:
- ESRC GROWING OLDER PROGRAMME
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. Department of Sociological Studies
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
This study examined the predictive value of mid-life risk factors for cognitive functioning in old age. Participants were drawn from a study of middle-aged people living in research conducted 30 years ago. Current cognitive functioning, both 'abstract' and 'real world', was assessed, along with attitudes and beliefs regarding how to maintain cognitive functioning in old age. Cognitive functioning was then examined in relation to perceived quality of life.
Mild cognitive impairment in the oldest old: a comparison of two approaches
- Authors:
- HONG T. B., JOHANSSON B., ZARIT S. H.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 7(4), July 2003, pp.271-276.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The main purpose of the current investigation was to examine the predictive utility of two sets of criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A second purpose was to determine the incidence of MCI in a longitudinal, population-based sample of the oldest old in Sweden. The participants were from the larger ‘Origins of Variance in the Old-Old: Octogenarian Twins’ (OCTO-Twin) study, identified through the Swedish Twin Registry. Participants were initially aged 80 or above with a mean age of 83 and were re-examined after two, three, six and eight years. The sample for this study consisted of 263 elders that were randomly selected singletons from twin pairs. Mild cognitive impairment was rated at baseline using both Petersen’s and Ritchie’s criteria. Petersen’s criteria emphasize memory and memory complaint whereas Ritchie’s criteria use a broader set of cognitive indicators. The incidence rate was comparable to that of other studies, however, neither set of criteria predicted subsequent dementia. The failure to confirm subsequent dementia suggests that there may be many sources of MCI in very late life besides incipient dementia. The presence of a key informant, as well as the weighting of performance across domains by an experienced clinician, both of which are hard to quantify, may be the key elements that give predictive values to MCI in prior studies.
Patterns of ageing in 30–35-Year-olds with Down's Syndrome
- Author:
- CARR Janet
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(1), March 2003, pp.29-40.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A population sample with Down's syndrome which had been studied repeatedly since infancy, was then followed up again at age 35 years. Intelligence, language, reading and arithmetic were tested and daily living skills were assessed. Two memory tests, the Rivermead Behaviour Memory Test and Oliver and Crayton's Dementia Battery were given at age 30 years and again at age 35 years. Results from all the tests used showed little change from those found at 21 and/or 30 years.
Human resilience: a fifty year quest
- Authors:
- CLARKE Ann, CLARKE Alan
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 426p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This book discusses major interacting influences on development, including genetic and environmental effects, chance events and the tendency for people to influence their environments in ways that reinforce their personal characteristics. In particular, the authors address the controversial issues surrounding the inheritability of IQ and outline factors affecting the success of various intervention programs, including fostering and adoption. The emerging importance of resilience as a concept in child development and psychology is of significance to psychologists. Carers working with disadvantaged children and those with learning disabilities are also concerned with how resilience can be improved both by personal characteristics such as self esteem, problem-solving ability or sociability, and by external support.