Training of Attention in Children With Low Arithmetical Achievement
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Guarnera, Maria
D’Amico, Antonella
Abstract / Description
This study focuses on the role of attentional processes in arithmetical skills and examines if training of basic attentive skills may improve also working memory abilities reducing arithmetic difficulties. In order to study the efficacy of attentional treatment in arithmetic achievement and in enhancing working memory abilities a test-treatment-retest quasi experimental design was adopted. The research involved 14 children, attending fourth and fifth grades, with Arithmetical Learning Disabilities (ALD) assigned to experimental and control conditions. The numerical comprehension and calculation processes were assessed using the ABCA battery (Lucangeli, Tressoldi, & Fiore, 1998). Attentional abilities were evaluated using a multitask computerized assessment battery Attenzione e Concentrazione (Di Nuovo, 2000). WM abilities were evaluated by Listening span task, Digit span backward, Making verbal trails and Making colour trails. The results showed that intensive computerized attention training increased basic attentive skills and arithmetical performances with respect to numeric system in children with ALD. No effect on working memory abilities was found. Results are also important from a clinical perspective, since they may suggest strategies for planning individualized training programs.
Keyword(s)
arithmetical skills working memory attentional abilities attention training children with dyscalculiaPersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2014-05-28
Journal title
Europe's Journal of Psychology
Volume
10
Issue
2
Page numbers
277–290
Publisher
PsychOpen GOLD
Publication status
publishedVersion
Review status
peerReviewed
Is version of
Citation
Guarnera, M., & D’Amico, A. (2014). Training of Attention in Children With Low Arithmetical Achievement. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 277–290. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v10i2.744
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Guarnera, Maria
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Author(s) / Creator(s)D’Amico, Antonella
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2018-11-21T09:59:08Z
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Made available on2018-11-21T09:59:08Z
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Date of first publication2014-05-28
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Abstract / DescriptionThis study focuses on the role of attentional processes in arithmetical skills and examines if training of basic attentive skills may improve also working memory abilities reducing arithmetic difficulties. In order to study the efficacy of attentional treatment in arithmetic achievement and in enhancing working memory abilities a test-treatment-retest quasi experimental design was adopted. The research involved 14 children, attending fourth and fifth grades, with Arithmetical Learning Disabilities (ALD) assigned to experimental and control conditions. The numerical comprehension and calculation processes were assessed using the ABCA battery (Lucangeli, Tressoldi, & Fiore, 1998). Attentional abilities were evaluated using a multitask computerized assessment battery Attenzione e Concentrazione (Di Nuovo, 2000). WM abilities were evaluated by Listening span task, Digit span backward, Making verbal trails and Making colour trails. The results showed that intensive computerized attention training increased basic attentive skills and arithmetical performances with respect to numeric system in children with ALD. No effect on working memory abilities was found. Results are also important from a clinical perspective, since they may suggest strategies for planning individualized training programs.en_US
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Publication statuspublishedVersion
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Review statuspeerReviewed
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CitationGuarnera, M., & D’Amico, A. (2014). Training of Attention in Children With Low Arithmetical Achievement. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 277–290. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v10i2.744
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ISSN1841-0413
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/893
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.1085
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Language of contenteng
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PublisherPsychOpen GOLD
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v10i2.744
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Keyword(s)arithmetical skillsen_US
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Keyword(s)working memoryen_US
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Keyword(s)attentional abilitiesen_US
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Keyword(s)attention trainingen_US
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Keyword(s)children with dyscalculiaen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleTraining of Attention in Children With Low Arithmetical Achievementen_US
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DRO typearticle
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Issue2
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Journal titleEurope's Journal of Psychology
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Page numbers277–290
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Volume10
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Visible tag(s)Version of Record