ERIC Number: EJ1360916
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Sep
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1944-7515
EISSN: EISSN-1944-7558
Available Date: N/A
Block Design Performance in Williams Syndrome: Visuospatial Abilities or Task Approach Skills?
Block, Elisa; Farran, Emily K.; Van Herwegen, Jo
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, v127 n5 p390-399 Sep 2022
The block design task (BDT) is a visuospatial measure that individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) perform poorly on. However, it is unclear what underlies their impaired performance. This study investigated whether poorer performance is a result of visuospatial difficulties, executive function (EF) difficulties, atypical looking strategies, or a combination of these. Eleven individuals with WS participated alongside mental age (MA)- and chronological age (CA)-matched control groups. Eye movements were recorded while they took the BDT. Dwell times and visits to areas of interest in WS differed from CA, but not MA, groups. Findings suggest that BDT abilities of individuals with WS are delayed, but not atypical. Delays result from visuospatial and attention-switching difficulties rather than atypical looking strategies.
Descriptors: Task Analysis, Visual Perception, Spatial Ability, Executive Function, Comparative Analysis, Eye Movements, Attention, Cognitive Ability, Age Differences, Genetic Disorders, Learning Problems
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. P.O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-1897. Tel: 785-843-1235; Fax: 785-843-1274; e-mail: AJMR@allenpress.com; Web site: https://meridian.allenpress.com/aaidd
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A