To Compare the Attention Span of Down Syndrome Children with Healthy Children of Same Age Group

Abstract

Introduction: Down syndrome is the most common congenital chromosomal disorder. In terms of genetic causes of mental impairment, this condition is the most prevalent. The typical characteristics of students with intellectual disability, such as down syndrome are limited attention span and motor skills. Attention is the first stage in information processing. It collects parts of the environmental information for later processing. However, there are dearth of studies which compares attention span of down syndrome children with healthy children of same age group. 
 Aim: The aim of the study is to examine the attention span of down syndrome children and comparing their attention span with healthy children of same age group.
 Materials and methods: The present study had a cross-sectional comparative research design. 20 subjects were taken conveniently which included 10 down syndrome and 10 healthy children (8-14 years old). The attention span was measured by using Stroop color and word test and analyzed with independent t-test.
 Results: Independent t-test indicated a significant difference between the attention span of down syndrome and healthy children.
 Conclusion: This research evaluated that down syndrome children have less attention span than healthy children of same age group. Therefore, down syndrome children need more attention training.
 Keywords: Attention span, Down syndrome, healthy children, Comparison.