Identifying cognitive profiles in children with neurodevelopmental disorders using online cognitive testing

Abstract

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to exhibit similar deficits in attention and memory ability. Early screening of cognitive deficits in children with NDDs, particularly in preschool children, is fundamental to improving cognitive and academic outcomes. In order to determine cognitive profiles in children with ASD and ADHD, we developed accessible audiovisual instructions for an online battery of 13 cognitive tests. Children ages 4–16 who were diagnosed with ADHD ( n = 83), or ASD ( n = 37), or who were typically developing children (TD) ( n = 86) were recruited. Data were analyzed using a stepwise Discriminant Analysis to determine which cognitive tasks were the strongest discriminators between the diagnostic groups. Results revealed four tasks reflective of working memory, reasoning, and attentional processes, which correctly classified approximately 53–60% of each group. The ADHD group had lower scores on attentional tasks compared to TD, while ASD group had lower scores on reasoning tasks compared to the TD children, and made more attempts across all four tasks. The results from this study stress the need for cognitive screening assessments that include domain-specific items to improve the characterization of executive function deficits and promote academic achievement in all children with NDDs.