The performance profile on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test of a group of children with cerebral palsy aged between 9 and 12.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the performance profile of a group of children with cerebral palsy (CP) on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).

METHODS

The sample consisted of 102 children aged between 9-12, divided into two groups: the clinical group consisted of 52 children with in mainstream class (37 with hemiplegia and 15 with diplegia), while the comparison group comprised 50 children matched for class, gender, age and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

The findings showed that children with CP make more non-perseverative errors, they completed fewer categories, required more trials to complete the first category and gave fewer conceptual responses than control children. Children with diplegia are distinguished more from comparison children than children with hemiplegia.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest a difficulty in initial conceptualization that could be attributable to a slow rate of information processing. Delayed maturation of the nervous system is likely to be implied.