Neuropsychological assessment in deaf children: presentation and preliminary results obtained with the AWARD (Neuropsychological) battery

Introduction. In this work we present results obtained using a computerized assessment neuropsychological battery for deaf children who use spoken language or sign language as their principal means for communication (AWARD (Neuropsychologica)l). Method. In order to examine effects of age, gender, communication mode and use of cochlear implants on AWARD (Neuropsychological) battery performance, we analyze the results obtained by a group of 67 prelingually deaf children divided in three age groups (3-5, 6-8 and 9-16 years old) in tasks of vocabulary, selective attention, visuo-spatial skills, visual memory, abstract reasoning, sequential processing and praxis. Results. When comparing the different age groups, the results showed significant differences in most of the neuropsychological tasks. In addition, the communication mode was related significantly to performance on some tasks. Discussion and conclusion. AWARD (Neuropsychological) battery could become a useful tool for cognitive assessment of school-age deaf children who using different communication mode. Recently this battery has been implemented with adaptive web technology, allowing easy and quick access to the tool between professionals working with deaf children.