The Effectiveness of Problem Solving Training Program on the Attention Span of Students with Down Syndrome

Attention span, as the most important cognitive function that plays a decisive role in learning, memory and perception, is impaired in children with intellectual disabilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of problem-solving training on the attention span of students with Down syndrome.

This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest-follow-up and a control group design. The statistical population included all students with Down syndrome in Kermanshah in the academic year 2021-2022; 30 people were selected by the purposive sampling method and were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). The problem-solving training program was presented to the experimental group during 15 one-hour sessions once a week for 15 weeks. The data collection tool was the Rosvold,s continuous performance test. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated measures in the SPSS-24 software.

Analysis of the data revealed a significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores on the attention domain subscales (P≥  0.05), but no significant difference between the posttest-follow-up scores (P>0.05).

This study demonstrated that problem-solving education improves the attention of students with Down syndrome; therefore, it is crucial to use this method as an effective cognitive program when educating children with Down syndrome.The implications of the results are discussed in this article.