Memory strategy development in children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to examine whether children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) show the same developmental transition from visual to verbal memory strategies as in non-FASD children and whether this transition was related to executive functioning and vocabulary skills.

METHODS

Younger (5-6 years) and older (8-10 years) children with FASD and non-FASD children were tested on a picture memory task.

RESULTS

Among both age groups, the non-FASD children performed better than those with FASD. Younger children with FASD appeared to use a visual approach, whereas older children with FASD appeared to use a verbal approach. However, among the non-FASD group both age groups appeared to use a verbal approach. Among the FASD group, the transition from a visual to verbal approach was correlated with executive functioning skills.

IMPLICATIONS: Strategies for classroom approaches as well as strategy training are discussed.