Article

AIM: To determine whether early measures of adaptive behavior are predictive of
later school difficulties and achievement in otherwise neurotypical (unimpaired)
children with onset of epilepsy during the preschool years. METHOD: In a
prospective cohort study, parents completed the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
(VABS) for children who were aged 5 years or less at epilepsy diagnosis. Eight to
9 years later, the children were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scales
for Children (WISC), the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), and the Child
Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Associations of VABS scores with later WRAT and CBCL
scores were tested. RESULTS: A total of 108 neurotypical children (64 males, 44
females; mean age at testing 11 y 11 mo, SD 2 y) were studied. After adjustment
for IQ and other factors, there was an increase of 0.15 points (95% confidence
interval [CI] 0.03-0.27 points; p=0.03) and 0.14 points (95% CI 0.0-0.28 points;
p=0.05) in WRAT reading and spelling scores for each 1-point increment in the
VABS communication score. Corresponding numbers for the VABS socialization score
were 0.20 (95% CI 0.08-0.32; p=0.005) and 0.17 (95% CI 0.05-0.29; p=0.005).
CONCLUSION: In neurotypical preschool children with epilepsy, early social and
communication scores predict later school performance. These findings raise
questions about opportunities for early identification and intervention for
children at greatest risk.
CI - (c) 2013 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS