Purpose: Research shows an atypical cognitive process in children with nonverbal learning disorder (NLD) compared to typically developing children, but a wealth of information indicates that physical activity can influence cognitive processes. However, little is known about the effects of perceptual-motor training and its impact on the cognitive process of children with NLD. Thus, the major goals of this study are to compare the executive functions (EFs) in children with NLD with typically developing children and then to investigate the effect of perceptual-motor training on EFs of children with NLD. Methods: To achieve the first goal, 400 typically developing (IQ >80) and NLD children (7-13 years old) were randomly selected in the city of Mashhad, Iran, during the period 2017-2018. As for the second goal, 50 children with NLD were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. To evaluate executive functions, Delis-Kaplan executive function system test was used at the pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up. The experimental group received the Werner and Reini's perceptual-motor training program in sixteen 45-min sessions (three sessions per week), but the control group did not receive any intervention. Results: The results showed that children with NLD were significantly weaker than typically developing children in London Tower Test (t (38) = −4.662, p <0.01), Trail Making Test (t (33.926) = −3.11, p <0.01), Card Sorting Test (t (38) = −3.427, p <0.01), and Stroop Color Test (t (30.035) = −5.876, p <0.01). The Pilates training had an obvious effect on enhancing the performance of participants in the experimental group (p<0.001), but similar results were not observed in the control group. Conclusion: Children with NLD have problems in EFs, but perceptual-motor training can be used as an effective intervention for these children.

PurposeInvestigation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is somewhat dependent on addressing main core features of ASD. But it is not clear which kind of investigation can effect on more difficulties features. So, this study examines the effect of the visuomotor, motor, and computer-based training programs on social behavior, motor skills, and repetitive behaviors of children with ASD.Patients and methodsSixty children with ASD aged 6–12 years were recruited and assigned to one of the three experimental groups and the control group (each group n=15). Training was provided in 30 sessions, scheduled 3 times a week. Social behavior and repetitive behaviors were determined objectively using the observation method, and motor skills were evaluated by the Test of Gross Motor Development-2.ResultsOur results suggested that children in the visuomotor group showed a significant reduction in the repetitive behaviors and an increase in gross motor skill scores in the post-test and follow-up. Also, the results exhibited that motor training group significantly improved in social behavior either in the post-test or follow-up. Although the post-test illustrated a considerable improvement of gross motor skills, this difference was not significant in follow-up. Similarly, no significant change was observed in visual training and control groups in relation to study variables.ConclusionGiven the improvement of repetitive behaviors and gross motor skills in post-test and follow-up, it seems that this investigation had a positive effect with a good retention effect on two core features of children with ASD. But according to group-based training protocol in motor training group and improvement in social communication, and mutual effect on gross motor skills, it seems that group-based practice can also be used to achieve the benefits of social communication in the investigations.

Objective: Many children suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show problems in executive functions (EF), which reflect neuronal pathways from perception to controlled action. Treatment approaches that improve executive functions may prevent a negative cycle of failures in students. Hence, this research aims to study the efficacy of the perceptual-motor skills reconstruction program on EF in children with ADHD while considering cognitive flexibility, abstract verbal skills, response inhibition, and working memory. Also, its effect on clinical ADHD symptoms should be considered. Method: The research design included pretest, posttest, and a follow-up after six months. The sample included third-grade school children with ADHD (50 students, aged 8–10 years, boys and girls) who were referred to the Child Psychology Clinic, Iran, Mashhad 2018–2019. After clinical assessment for ADHD, children were randomly assigned to an experimental (n = 25) and a waiting control (n = 25) group. The experimental group received the perceptual-motor skills reconstruction program for 16 sessions (three times per week, i.e., five weeks and one session in the sixth week). Delis–Kaplan executive function system (D-KEFS) was applied at three measurement points (M1–3) in order to test for changes over time. Results: Data analysis (analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with post-hoc-testing) showed that there was a significantly better performance of experimental versus waiting control group at posttest (M2) and follow-up (M3) for cognitive flexibility (t(24) = 4.9, df = 14, p < 0.0001), abstract verbal skills (t(24) = 3.5, df = 14, p < 0.004), response inhibition (t(24) = 7.54, df = 14, p < 0.0001) and working memory (t(24) = 12.69, df = 14, p < 0.004). Further, Conners-Scales-Score improved for the experimental group. Conclusions: Training with perceptual-motor skills reconstruction program clearly improved the trained variables (i.e., cognitive flexibility, abstract verbal skills, response inhibition, and working memory) and clinical symptoms of the children with ADHD. The obtained training may lead in practice to better preconditions for successfully handling daily tasks at school and in society.

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Background and Purpose: Mindful parenting enhances parenting capacity, stability, and adaptability, and strengthens parent-child relationships. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mindful parenting and children's executive functions with the mediating role of brain waves. Method: This was a descriptive correlational study with a structural equation modeling method. The statistical population of the study included all 6-12-year-old children referred to the "Andisheh va Raftar" Clinic in Mashhad in 2019-20, form which 133 children (60 females, 73 males) were selected using available sampling method. The instruments used in the study included the Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (McCaffre et. Al, 2015), the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functions Scale-Children and Adolescents (Barkley, 2012), and Neurofeedback device. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling method using SPSS23 and LISREL8.8 software. Results:The results showed that the proposed model best fitted the data. There was a direct relationship between mindful parenting and executive functions (β = 0.32, t = 5.34) and an indirect relationship through alpha wave (= 0.18). β, t = 3.58) and (β = 0.63, t = 12.31); Beta wave (β = 0.15, t = 3.16) and (β = 0.57, t = 9.32) and theta wave (β = 0.12, t = 1.25) and (0.22 = -β, 14 / 4-= t). Conclusion: According to the results, mindful parenting is both directly and indirectly related to the executive functions through the mediation of brain waves. The results of this study contain practical implications for promoting children's executive functions in relation to parenting.