A systematic review of assessment instruments for linguistic precursors during child development, ages 6 to 18 months.

Linguistic precursors (gaze, joint attention, gestures, social interaction, etc.) have a predictive value over the course of child development. The aim of the present review is to analyze the content structure, and the theoretical perspective, of assessment instruments that focus on linguistic precursors for the 6-18-month age group. The search was achieved through the following citation databases: BVS, MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, Redalyc, Web of Science, Google Scholar, as well as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Elegible articles were obtained using the following terms: "neuropsychological tests," "nonverbal communication," "child language" and "infant" as well as their equivalents in Spanish and Portuguese. Twenty-six assessment instruments were found to be compatible with the eligibility criteria. From the results, 19 instruments explore various domains of linguistic precursors, while 7 are task-specific proposals. Five instruments are aimed at early detection of signs of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The implementation of Bruner's model of communicative functions was found on 15% of the instruments. This article provides timely information for clinicians who work with children during early stages of development, in relation to the methodical monitoring, assessment and accompaniment of infants and toddlers during the prelinguistic stage.

Sistema de avaliação de práticas psicológicas Aluízio Lopes de Brito (SAPP) sobre políticas de cuidado / Aluízio Lopes de Brito psychological practices assessment system (SAPP) on care policies / Sistema de evaluación de prácticas psicológicas Aluízio Lopes de Brito (SAPP) sobre políticas de cuidado

O objetivo do presente manuscrito é caracterizar e descrever os fluxos do Sistema de Avaliação de Práticas Psicológicas Aluízio Lopes de Brito (SAPP), dispositivo instituído no âmbito do Sistema Conselhos de Psicologia e regulamentado pelo Conselho Federal de Psicologia através da Resolução CFP nº 15, de 18 de agosto de 2023. O SAPP surge da necessidade premente de orientação e qualificação profissionais frente às práticas emergentes que produzem o saber/ fazer da psicologia. Nesse sentido, trata-se de processo que busca orientar, qualificar e fazer conhecer práticas que sejam compatíveis ou não com o exercício profissional em psicologia. Com o trabalho realizado no SAPP serão produzidos pareceres que contribuirão minimamente para o conhecimento das fronteiras que delimitam os campos da psicologia e, por excelência, conheceremos melhor nossas próprias formas de atuação. Através da consideração do trinômio teoria-prática-ética, o CFP espera com o SAPP abrir diálogos com grupos, práticas e saberes fronteiriços e constantemente relegados pela psicologia hegemônica. Para tanto, parte do pressuposto de que os saberes e fazeres destas populações podem refinar as teorias psicológicas e fazer a psicologia avançar como ciência e profissão.(AU)

This manuscript aims to characterize and describe the flows of the Aluízio Lopes de Brito Psychological Practices Assessment System (SAPP), an instrument established within the framework of the Psychology Council System and regulated by the Federal Council of Psychology (CFP) with Resolution CFP No. 15, of August 18, 2023. The SAPP arises from the pressing need for professional guidance and qualification in the face of emerging practices that shape the knowledge/practice of psychology. In this sense, it is a process that seeks to guide, qualify, and make known practices that are compatible or not with the professional practice of psychology. The work carried out in the SAPP will produce opinions that will contribute minimally to the understanding of the boundaries that delimit the fields of psychology and, by excellence, we will better understand our own modes of operation. Considering the trinity of theory-practice-ethics, the CFP hopes with the SAPP to open dialogues with groups, practices, and knowledge that are in the borders and are constantly relegated by hegemonic psychology. To this end, it assumes that the knowledge and practices of these populations can refine psychological theories and advance psychology as a science and profession.(AU)

El objetivo de este manuscrito es caracterizar y describir los flujos del Sistema de Evaluación de Prácticas Psicológicas Aluízio Lopes de Brito (SAPP), un dispositivo establecido en el marco del Sistema de Consejos de Psicología y regulado por el Consejo Federal de Psicología a través de la Resolución CFP n.º 15, con fecha del 18 de agosto de 2023. El SAPP surge de la necesidad apremiante de orientación y calificación profesional frente a las prácticas emergentes que configuran el conocimiento y las habilidades de la psicología. En este sentido, es un proceso que busca orientar, calificar y dar a conocer prácticas que sean compatibles o no con el ejercicio profesional de la psicología. El trabajo realizado en el SAPP generará opiniones que contribuirán mínimamente a la comprensión de los límites que delimitan los campos de la psicología y, por excelencia, comprender mejor nuestras propias formas de actuación. A través de la consideración de la tríada teoría-práctica-ética, el CFP espera que con el SAPP puede llevar a cabo el diálogo con grupos, prácticas y conocimientos fronterizos y constantemente pasados por alto por la psicología hegemónica. Con este fin, se asume que los conocimientos y prácticas de estas poblaciones pueden refinar las teorías psicológicas y hacer avanzar la psicología como ciencia y profesión.(AU)

Precarização da Atividade de Trabalho no Ofício Profissional em Psicologia / Precariousness of working activity among professional psychologists / Precariedad de la Actividad Laboral en la Profesión Profesional en Psicología

O presente artigo recupera operadores teóricos considerados cruciais para a abordagem da precarização da atividade de trabalho. Tais operadores configuram movimento de evolução do conceito de trabalho sujo, para o conceito de trabalho precário. Tal avaliação crítica se apoia no argumento no qual a precarização não se restringe a aspectos externos, relacionados às condições de exercício profissional passíveis de higienização, mas abarcam igualmente aspectos relacionados à dinâmica que se estabelece necessariamente entre o indivíduo-trabalhador e seu gênero profissional, através de seu coletivo de trabalho. A partir desses operadores teóricos analisam-se as condições de exercício profissional da Psicologia brasileira, de forma a evidenciar aspectos que indicam a precarização de atividade profissional. Concluímos nossa análise com um rol de possíveis alternativas para a formação de futuros profissionais e retomada da qualidade de vida no âmbito do trabalho real de psicólogas e psicólogos.

Assessing executive functions in Brazilian children: A critical review of available tools.

The goal of this review is to perform a critical analysis of the instruments used to assess executive functions (EFs) in preschool and school-age children in Brazil. We identified 37 assessment measures through a systematic review. Some performance-based tests for assessing working memory and inhibition were identified. However, there is a lack of rating measures and instruments to assess flexibility and planning in clinical practice. We observed regional differences in the performance of EFs measures. One possible explanation may be the use of normative samples from more highly-developed regions to characterize performance in less-developed regions. However, there may be alternative explanations, such as variations in the exposure to testing and the adequacy of test materials in different regions. Joint efforts among research groups should be encouraged in order to obtain normative references that are more representative of the socio-cultural diversity of the country. This improvement is essential to better understand the typical and atypical development of EFs and how the peculiarities of each country's context and culture can impact its trajectory.

Pieces of evidences of reliability of the Brazilian version of the Child Executive Functions Battery (CEF-B).

Executive dysfunctions are central symptoms in different neurological, developmental, and context-related conditions. The assessment of these functions is then essential in neuropsychological pediatric clinical practice. Given the need for reliable and valid evaluation batteries for clinical practice in Brazil, this study aimed to present the pieces of evidences of reliability of the Child Executive Functions Battery (CEF-B). A total of 230 Brazilian children with typical development aged between 7 and 12 years participated in the study. Internal consistency was determined by the split-half method, Cronbach's α, and Ω. In addition, measurements of test-retest reliability and intraclass coefficient were also performed. Retest indicators were mostly weak and moderate (between .43 and .75). Overvall, coefficients show a satisfactory internal consistency reliability for planning and inhibition measures (between .72 and .92). Considering the measures of WM, results were also satisfactory for both α and Ω indexes. This study revealed that the CEF-B has satisfactory internal consistency reliability coefficients. However, several tests have shown low reliability assessed through the test-retest method. In general, findings reveal interesting pieces of initial evidence of reliability of the Brazilian version. The methodological approach could be improved in future studies by including children with executive disorders.

Intelligence and posterior fossa tumors in Brazilian youth.

Central nervous system tumors are the most frequent solid neoplasms in childhood and are frequently located in posterior fossa (PF). In Brazil, this diagnosis is associated to high mortality rates and this context is increasingly worrisome outside of large urban centers in which delayed diagnosis and defaulting from treatment compromise survivorship. Moreover, the lesion and therapeutic toxicity compromise cognitive domains. This study investigated the impact of PF tumors and their treatments on the intellectual capacity of 37 children and adolescents aged 6 to 16, divided into two groups: patients with low grade tumors, submitted only to neurosurgery (G1) and with tumors of higher malignancy submitted to neurosurgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy (G2). Using the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children, data reveal that G1 presented preserved mean performance, while G2 presented low average performance. Cluster-type analysis divided the participants into two groups regarding intelligence, clinical and sociodemographic variables. Inferential statistical analysis highlighted the influence of antineoplastic treatment on nonverbal domains. Mother's schooling demonstrated influence on verbal domains, revealing an important dissociation pattern. The results suggest the relevance of sociocultural factors on the expression of the damage, as well as the administration of radiotherapy at critical neurodevelopmental stages.

Developmental dyslexia and executive functions: evidence on main evaluation methods / Dislexia do desenvolvimento e funções executivas: evidências sobre os principais métodos de avaliação / Dislexia del desarrollo y funciones ejecutivas: evidencias sobre los principales métodos de evaluación

In recent years, a growing number of studies have been associating Developmental dyslexia (DD) with alterations in executive functions (EF). However, the literature still hasn't reached a consensus on this subject. This study objective was to carry out a systematic literature review of the most explored functions and neuropsychological instruments for the assessment of EF on children and teenagers with DD, between the years of 2007 and 2017. Seventy-one different instruments for the assessment of EF in individuals with DD were mapped. The most used tests were the Digit Span Task, the Stroop Test and the Tower of London. The most studied EF was working memory. It was concluded that the recent interest in this research field, the wide variety of instruments employed and of EF models adopted hamper the establishment of a consensus on the influence of the diverse aspects of EF on DD.

Nos últimos anos, crescente número de estudos tem associado à Dislexia do Desenvolvimento (DD) a alterações em funções executivas (FE). No entanto, a literatura ainda não apresenta consenso quanto a esta questão. Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar revisão sistemática da literatura, investigando os instrumentos e as funções neuropsicológicas mais exploradas para avaliar as FE em crianças e adolescentes com DD, entre os anos de 2007 e 2017. Foram mapeados 71 instrumentos para avaliar FE em indivíduos com DD. Os testes mais utilizados foram o Digit Span Task, o Stroop Test e o Tower of London. A FE mais estudada foi a memória de trabalho. Conclui-se que o recente interesse neste campo de pesquisa, a grande variedade de instrumentos empregados e de modelos de FE adotados dificulta o estabelecimento de um consenso sobre a influência dos diversos aspectos das FE na DD.

En los últimos años, un creciente número de estudios asocian la dislexia del desarrollo (DD) a alteraciones en las funciones ejecutivas (FE). Sin embargo, la literatura aún no ha llegado a un consenso sobre este tema. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión sistemática de la literatura de las funciones más exploradas y los instrumentos neuropsicológicos más utilizados para la evaluación de las FE en niños y adolescentes con DD, entre los años de 2007 y 2017. Fueron mapeados 71 instrumentos diferentes para la evaluación de EF en individuos con DD. Las pruebas más utilizadas fueron la Tarea de Digit Span, la Prueba de Stroop y la Torre de Londres. La FE más estudiada fue la memoria de trabajo. Se concluyó que el reciente interés en este campo de investigación, la gran variedad de instrumentos empleados y de modelos de FE adoptados dificultan el establecimiento de un consenso sobre la influencia de los diversos aspectos de las EF en la DD.

Developmental Profile of Executive Functioning in School-Age Children From Northeast Brazil.

The development of executive functions (EF) is recognizably correlated to culture, contextual and social factors. However, studies considering all the basic EF are still scarce in Brazil, most notably in the Northeast region, which is known for its social inequality and economic gap. This study aimed to analyze the developmental trajectories and structure of four EF, namely inhibition, flexibility, working memory and planning. In addition, the potential effects of socioeconomic status (SES) and gender were examined. The sample included 230 Brazilian children between 7-12 years old, homogeneously distributed by age, gender and type of school. The EF were assessed through the Brazilian version of the Child Executive Functions Battery (CEF-B). A global effect of age was found for most of the EF measures evaluated. Gender effect was mostly non-significant, except for 4 of the 12 tasks. There was a significant SES effect on 8 tasks, all in favor of private school children. Exploratory factorial and correlation analysis showed a 4-factor EF structure, corroborating the theoretical distribution considered in the CEF-B. A developmental progression is evident in the results for all of the EF measures evaluated. While gender had little influence on EF, SES seems to significantly impact the development of EF. As normative data are still lacking in Northeast Brazil, this study may help to understand EF development trajectories and provide tools for neuropsychological evaluation.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Childhood Executive Functions Battery (CEF-B) to brazilian portuguese / Adaptação Transcultural do Protocolo FEC - funções executivas em crianças para o português brasileiro / Adaptación Transcultural del Protocolo FEN - funciones ejecutivas en niños para el portugués brasileño

This study aimed to describe the processes of translation and cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the Childhood Executive Functions Battery (CEF-B), designed to evaluate executive functions in children and adolescents from 6 to 16 years of age. Six steps were carried out to ensure the quality of the processes: 1) instrument translation into the new language; 2) synthesis of the translated versions; 3) evaluation of the synthesized version by experts; 4) evaluation by the target population; 5) back-translation and 6) pilot study. We sought to ensure the translation and adaptation properties of the CEF-B in terms of semantic, idiomatic, experiential and cultural equivalence between the instructions in the original language and the target language. Results showed preliminary evidence of cultural adequacy and a satisfactory comprehension of the instrument instructions by the target population. (AU)

Este estudo objetiva descrever os procedimentos de tradução e adaptação transcultural para o português brasileiro do Protocolo Funções Executivas em Crianças (FEC), voltado para a avaliação das funções executivas de crianças e adolescentes de 6 a 16 anos. Para garantir a qualidade do processo, foram realizadas seis etapas: 1) tradução do instrumento do idioma de origem para o idioma-alvo; 2) síntese das versões traduzidas; 3) avaliação por experts; 4) avaliação pelo público-alvo; 5) tradução reversa e 6) estudo piloto. Buscou-se assegurar as propriedades da tradução e adaptação do protocolo FEC, em termos de equivalência semântica, idiomática, experiencial e cultural entre as instruções no idioma original e no idioma-alvo. Os resultados apontaram evidências iniciais de adequação cultural e boa compreensão das instruções do instrumento pelo público-alvo. (AU)

Este estudio objetiva describir los procedimientos de traducción y adaptación transcultural del protocolo Funciones Ejecutivas en Niños (FEN) para el portugués brasileño, dirigido a la evaluación de las funciones ejecutivas de los niños y adolescentes de 6 a 16 años. Para garantizar la calidad del proceso, se realizaron 6 etapas: 1) traducción del instrumento del idioma de origen al idioma de destino; 2) síntesis de las versiones traducidas; 3) evaluación por expertos; 4) evaluación por el público objetivo; 5) traducción inversa y 6) estudio piloto. Se buscó garantizar las propiedades de la traducción y adaptación del protocolo FEN, en términos de equivalencia semántica, idiomática, experiencial y cultural entre las instrucciones en el idioma original y en el idioma de destino. Los resultados apuntaron evidencias iniciales de adecuación cultural y buena comprensión de las instrucciones del instrumento por el público objetivo. (AU)

Dialogia e insight: narrativas de pais e filhos sobre o transtorno de asperger / Dialogismo y insigth: narrativas de padres y hijos sobre el trastorno de asperger / Dialogism and insight: parents and children narratives about asperger disorder

Resumo O presente estudo objetivou investigar os processos de insight em sujeitos com Transtorno de Asperger (TA). Entende-se por insight o conhecimento do próprio diagnóstico e os sentidos construídos a partir deste. O desenvolvimento doinsight é aqui compreendido não como função restrita à vida mental pessoal, mas como fenômeno intersubjetivo, forjado nas relações sociais. O arcabouço teórico que subsidia a presente pesquisa é a perspectiva genética de desenvolvimento avançada pela psicologia histórico-cultural. Para tanto, foram propostas a três díades de pais e adolescentes diagnosticados com TA duas tarefas de produção narrativa que investigaram aspectos relacionados às experiências Asperger. Os resultados sugerem que a característica central dos processos de insight no TA pode ser descrita como disrupção na transição do modo monológico para o modo dialógico de pensamento. Acredita-se que os resultados aqui encontrados contribuem para a compreensão da singularidade e eventicidade da existência e da experiência subjetiva.

Resumen El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los procesos de insight en sujetos con trastorno de Asperger (TA). Insight significa el conocimiento del diagnóstico mismo y los significados construidos a partir de él. El desarrollo del insight se entiende aquí no como una función restringida a la vida mental personal, sino como un fenómeno intersubjetivo, forjado en las relaciones sociales. El marco teórico que sustenta esta investigación es la perspectiva genética del desarrollo que adelanta la psicología histórico-cultural. Para ello, a tres díadas de padres y adolescentes diagnosticados de TA se les ofrecieron dos tareas de producción narrativa que investigaban aspectos relacionados con las experiencias de Asperger. Los resultados sugieren que la característica central de los procesos de insight en TA puede describirse como una interrupción en la transición del modo de pensamiento monológico al dialógico. Se cree que los resultados encontrados aquí contribuyen a la comprensión de la singularidad y la eventualidad de la existencia y la experiencia subjetiva.

Abstract The present article aimed to investigate insight processes in people with Asperger disorder. Insight is understood as the knowledge of one's own diagnosis and the senses built from it. The insight development is understood here not as a function of personal psychological life, but as an intersubjective phenomenon, forged in social relations. The theoretical framework that subsidizes this research is the genetic perspective of development advanced by cultural-historical psychology. For this purpose, two tasks of narrative production were proposed to three dyads of parents and teenagers with AD, which investigated aspects related to Asperger experiences. The results suggest that the central characteristic of insight processes in AD can be described as a disruption in the transition of a thinking monologic mode to a thinking dialogic mode. It is believed that the results here found contribute to the comprehension of singularity and occurrence of subjective experience and existence.

Neuropsicologia no Brasil: passado, presente e futuro / Neuropsychology in Brazil: past, present and future / Neuropsicología en Brasil: pasado, presente y futuro

Apresenta-se um panorama da Neuropsicologia brasileira, enfocando sua inserção no país, caracterizando o momento atual e desafios à sua consolidação. Aborda-se a trajetória da Neuropsicologia, traçando-se cinco períodos que a caracterizam, bem como sua trajetória nacional. A Neuropsicologia brasileira assiste à sofisticação da neuroimagem e ao avanço da pesquisa e interesse na área, à criação de entidades representativas, ao crescente número de publicações, grupos de pesquisa e de cursos de pós-graduação, ao desenvolvimento de instrumentos brasileiros e à ampliação da normatização e validação de instrumentos estrangeiros. Apesar desses avanços, ressalta-se a necessidade de constituir uma Neuropsicologia brasileira, sintonizada com os desafios de um país diverso, que contribua com políticas públicas, produza conhecimentos que atinjam diferentes populações e contribua para a diminuição das desigualdades sociais.(AU)

This paper aims to present an overview of Brazilian neuropsychology, focusing on the way the discipline was brought to Brazil, the present panorama of the discipline, and the challenges related to its consolidation. This article addresses the historical course of Neuropsychology, mapping the five distinct periods that characterized its history, as well as its national course. Brazilian neuropsychology is currently aided by the sophistication of neuroimaging techniques, the advancement in research and the interest in the area, as well as the creation of representative professional associations, the growing number of publications, research groups and graduate courses, the development of Brazilian instruments and the increase in standardization and validation of foreign instruments. Despite these advances, it is necessary to emphasize the need to make a Brazilian Neuropsychology, in tune with the challenges that come from a diverse country, one which contributes with public policies, produces knowledge that reaches different peoples and contributes towards reducing social inequalities.(AU)

Este artículo presenta un panorama de la Neuropsicología en Brasil, enfocándose en su inserción en el país, caracterizando el momento actual y los desafíos a su consolidación. Aborda la historia de la Neuropsicología, trazando los cinco períodos que la caracterizan y su trayectoria nacional. La Neuropsicología brasileña presencia la sofisticación de las técnicas de neuroimagen y el avance de la investigación y el interés de los estudiantes y profesionales, así como la creación de órganos representativos, el creciente número de grupos de investigación, cursos postgrado y publicaciones, el desarrollo de instrumentos brasileños de evaluación neuropsicológica y la estandarización de los procesos y validación de instrumentos extranjeros. A pesar de esos avances, se destaca la necesidad de establecer una Neuropsicología brasileña, en sintonía con desafíos y urgencias de un país diverso, que contribuya con políticas públicas, produzca y ponga en práctica conocimientos que alcancen diferentes poblaciones y contribuya con la reducción de las desigualdades sociales.(AU)

Evidências de validade e normas do TEPIC-M para crianças e adolescentes / Evidences of validity and standards of the TEPIC-M for children and adolescents / Evidencias de validez y normas de la TEPIC-M para niños y adolescentes

O TEPIC-M é um teste que avalia a memória visual de curto prazo, validado e normatizado para a faixa etária de 17 a 89 anos, com o objetivo de encontrar evidências de validade de critério e normas para crianças e adolescentes. Este estudo contou com 542 estudantes com idade entre seis e 16 anos, de instituições de ensino públicas e privadas da cidade de Natal/RN. Verificou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa na média de acertos quando comparados os desempenhos dos participantes em função do tipo de escola (p < 0,001), bem como em função da idade (p < 0,001). Por outro lado, não foram verificadas diferenças na média de acertos entre sexos (p = 0,808). Conclui-se que o instrumento é adequado para a avaliação da memória visual de curto prazo entre crianças e adolescentes brasileiros, podendo ser utilizado em futuros estudos com essa população. (AU)

The TEPIC-M is a test that evaluates short-term visual memory that has been validated and standardized for the 17 to 89 years age group. Participants of this study were 542 students aged between six and 16 years, of public and private educational institutions in the city of Natal, Brazil. The study aimed to find evidence of criterion validity and standards for children and adolescents. Statistically significant difference were found in the mean number of correct answers when comparing the performances of the participants according to the type of school (p <0.001) and age (p <0.001). Conversely, there were no differences in the mean number of correct answers between the sexes (p = 0.808). It was concluded that the instrument is suitable for the evaluation of short-term visual memory among Brazilian children and adolescents and can be used in future studies with this population. (AU)

El TEPIC-M es un test que evalúa la memoria visual a corto plazo, validada y regulada para la franja etaria de 17 a 89 años. Con el objetivo de encontrar evidencias de validez de criterio y normas para niños y adolescentes, este estudio contó con 542 estudiantes con edades entre seis y 16 años de instituciones de enseñanza pública y privada de la ciudad de Natal - RN. Se verificó diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la media de aciertos cuando se compararon los resultados de los participantes en función del tipo de escuela (p <0,001), así como en función de la edad (p <0,001). Por otro lado, no se verificaron diferencias en la media de aciertos entre sexos (p = 0,808). Se concluye que el instrumento es adecuado para la evaluación de la memoria visual de corto plazo entre niños y adolescentes brasileños, pudiendo ser utilizado en futuros estudios con esa población. (AU)

Historical-Cultural Neuropsychology: a systemic and integral approach of psychological functions and their cerebral bases / Neuropsicologia Histórico-Cultural: uma concepção sistémica e integral acerca dos fenômenos psicológicos e suas bases cerebrais / Neuropsicología Histórico-Cultural: una concepción sistémica e integral acerca de fenómenos psicológicos y sus bases cerebrales

This article analyzes the theoretical foundations of neuropsychology based on the ideas of L.S. Vygotsky and A. R. Luria, with an emphasis on the principle of systemic organization of psychological processes, their ontogenetic development and systemic representation in the central nervous system. The article describes the need for a comprehensive study of neuropsychology, considering its relationship with more global psychological concepts developed by representatives of the historical-cultural concept of mental functions and the theory of activity. This paper considers the need to include neuropsychology in the context of historical-cultural studies and the theory of activity. Finally, it is argued that one of the essential features of historical-cultural neuropsychology is the concept of systemic, dynamic and hierarchical representation of cultural psychological processes.

O presente artigo dedica-se à análise dos fundamentos teóricos da neuropsicologia a partir das ideias de L.S. Vygotsky e A. R. Luria. Enfatiza-se o principio da organização sistêmica dos processos psicológicos, seu desenvolvimento ontogenético e sua representação sistêmica no sistema nervoso central. O artigo descreve a necessidade de um estudo integral da neuropsicologia, considerando sua relação com as concepções psicológicas mais globais, desenvolvidas pelos representantes da concepção histórico-cultural e da teoría da atividade. Propõe-se a consideração da necessidade de inclusão da neuropsicologia no contexto dos estudos histórico-culturais e da teoría da atividade. Por fim, argumentam e problematizam acerca de um dos aspectos essenciais da neuropsicologia histórico-cultural, a saber, a concepção da representação sistêmica, dinâmica e hierárquica dos processos psicológicos culturais.

El artículo se dedica al análisis de los fundamentos teóricos de la neuropsicología desde las ideas de L.S. Vygotsky y A.R. Luria. Se realiza énfasis en el principio de organización sistémica de los procesos psicológicos, su desarrollo ontogenético y su representación sistémica en el sistema nervioso central. O artículo describe la necesidad de un estudio integral de la neuropsicología, considerando su relación con las concepciones psicológicas más globales, desarrolladas por los representantes de la concepción histórico-cultural y la teoría de la actividad. Propone considerar la necesidad de inclusión de la neuropsicología en el contexto de los estudios histórico-culturales y la teoría de la actividad. Uno de los rasgos esenciales de la neuropsicología histórico-cultural es la concepción de la representación cerebral sistémica, dinámica y jerárquica de los procesos psicológicos culturales.

Working memory and phonological awareness in children with Rolandic Epilepsy / Memoria de trabajo y consciencia fonológica en niños con Epilepsia Rolándica

This study investigated how the difficulties in language in children with Rolandic Epilepsy (RE) could be related to alterations in their development of phonological awareness and/or working memory. We evaluated fourty-two children aged 6 to 13 years old. From these, twenty-one children were diagnosed with RE and formed the experimental group; and twenty-one children without RE, paired with the experimental group by sex, age, education and socioeconomic status, formed the control group. The results showed significant differences in the performances of children with RE and healthy children in the tests that evaluated working memory and phonological awareness. Also, positive and high significant correlations were found between working memory and phonological awareness in the RE clinical subgroup. Generally, the results suggest that compromises in both cognitive functions might be associated to loss of language capabilities in children with RE, and also point that the development of working memory and phonological awareness are interconnected.

En este estudio se investigó cómo las dificultades en el lenguaje en niños con epilepsia Rolandica (ER) podrían estar relacionadas con alteraciones en su desarrollo de la conciencia fonológica y/o memoria de trabajo. Se evaluaron 42 niños de 6 a 13 años de edad. De éstos, 21 niños fueron diagnosticados con ER y formaron el grupo experimental; y 21 niños sin RE, emparejados con el grupo experimental por sexo, edad, nivel educativo y socioeconómico, que formaron el grupo de control. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas en los resultados de los niños con ER y niños sanos en las pruebas que evaluaron la memoria de trabajo y la conciencia fonológica. Además, se encontraron correlaciones positivas y altas entre la memoria de trabajo y la conciencia fonológica en el subgrupo clínico RE. En general, los resultados sugieren que los compromisos en ambas funciones cognitivas pueden estar asociados a la pérdida de capacidades del lenguaje en los niños con RE, y también señalan que el desarrollo de la memoria de trabajo y la conciencia fonológica están interconectados.

Adaptaçâo transcultural para o português (Brasil) do Kidcope / Transcultural adaptation of Kidcope to portuguese (Brazil)

O objetivo do presente artigo é traduzir e realizar a adaptaçâo transcultural para o Português (Brasil) do instrumento Kidcope. Trata-se de uma pesquisa metodológica, de caráter transversal, na qual se realizou a equivalência conceitual e de itens, semântica e operacional entre o instrumento original e a versâo brasileira do Kidcope. Os resultados evidenciam uma boa equivalência conceitual e de itens, além de semântica, entre os itens do instrumento original e das retrotraduçôes, sobretudo quanto à díade T2 - R2. Quanto à equivalência operacional, as crianças avaliaram o instrumento como adequado e compreensível. O estudo atingiu o objetivo desejado. Os resultados se mostraram satisfatórios, indicando a possibilidade de continuidade à etapa subsequente, a equivalência de mensuraçâo.

The objective of this paper was to translate and carry out the cross-cultural adaptation of Kidcope´s instrument to Portuguese (Brazil). The conceptual and item equivalence, semantic and operational equivalence between the original instrument and the Brazilian version of the Kidcope were performed in this cross-sectional methodological research. The results show a good conceptual and item equivalence, besides semantics between the elements of the original instrument and the translations, especially with reference to the T2 - R2 dyad. Regarding operational equivalence, the children confirmed to instrument as adequate and comprehensible. The study reached the desired goal and the results were satisfactory, noting the possibility of continuing to the next stage, the equivalence of measurement.

Brazilian Normative Data on Letter and Category Fluency Tasks: Effects of Gender, Age, and Geopolitical Region.

Verbal fluency is a basic function of language that refers to the ability to produce fluent speech. Despite being an essentially linguistic function, its measurements are also used to evaluate executive aspects of verbal behavior. Performance in verbal fluency (VF) tasks varies according to age, education, and cognitive development. Neurodevelopmental disorders that affect the functioning of frontal areas tend to cause lower performance in VF tasks. Despite the relative consensus that has been reached in terms of the use of VF tasks for the diagnosis of dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, few studies have considered regional variations in Brazil. The present study sought to provide normative data on VF tasks in children by considering gender, age, education, and geopolitical region of origin with auxiliary purposes in neuropsychological diagnosis of disorders that occur with executive changes The study included 298 participants, 7-10 years of age of both genders, who performed three letter fluency tasks and three category fluency tasks. The data were subjected to correlational and variance analyses, with age and gender as factors. No effect of gender on the children's performance was found. However, significant differences between age groups were observed, with better performance in letter tasks in older children and better performance in letter tasks compared with category tasks. Significant regional differences in performance on the letter VF task were observed. These results reinforce the importance of regional normative data in countries with high regional cultural variations, such as Brazil.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de TDAH: criterios usados por diferentes categorías profesionales / Diagnosis and treatment of ADHD: criteria used by different professional categories

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic criteria and intervention proposals related to ADHD in different professional categories from the city of Natal, RN, Brazil. In the study participated 34 professionals conveniently selected and a semi-structured interview was conducted with them. After the categorization of information we proceeded to a multidimensional descriptive Cluster analysis. There was an evident division of the whole group into two other groups due to three bigger relevance variables: education, number of sessions used in the diagnosis, and the use of formal instruments. Group 1, formed by physicians, was characterized by the use of two to three sessions and by the use of instruments and formal scales. In Group 2, the average number of sessions was higher than three and all psychologists and most educational psychologist from this group did not use formal scales for diagnosis. We suggest that the academic training determines the diagnostic modalities and intervention modalities for ADHD.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los criterios diagnósticos y propuestas de intervención relacionados al TDAH de diferentes categorías profesionales en la ciudad de Natal û RN, Brasil. Participaron 34 profesionales seleccionados por conveniencia y a quienes se les realizó una entrevista semi-estructurada. Luego de la categorización de las informaciones se procedió al análisis descriptivo multidimensional de tipo Clusters. Se hizo evidente la división de la muestra total en otros dos grupos en relación a las tres variables de mayor relevancia: educación, número de sesiones utilizadas en el diagnóstico y uso de instrumentos formales. El Grupo 1, formado por médicos, se caracterizó por la utilización de dos o tres sesiones y por el uso de instrumentos y escalas formales. En el grupo 2, el número promedio de sesiones fue superior a tres y todos los psicólogos y la mayoría de los psicopedagogos no utilizaron escalas formales en el diagnóstico. Se sugiere que la formación académica determina las modalidades diagnósticas y de intervenciones utilizadas junto al TDAH.

Styles of attachment and acquisition of the Theory of Mind / Estilos de apego e aquisição da teoria da mente / Estilos de apego y adquisición de la teoría de la mente

AbstractThe goal of the present study was to investigate the possible relationship between the theory of mind and mother-child attachment. Two research questions were asked: (1) At what age does a child show the ability to understand and infer the mental states of others? (2) Is there a systematic relationship between "styles of attachment" and "acquisition of the theory of mind"? Forty children from two age groups (3- and 4-year-olds) participated in the study. For each child, two tasks of false belief (FB) and a task of uncompleted attachment stories were applied. The results indicated a positive correlation between the secure attachment style and good performance on the FB tasks.(AU)

ResumoO objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar possíveis relações entre a teoria da mente e apego mãe-criança. Foram propostas duas questões de pesquisa: (1) a partir de que idade uma criança mostra-se capaz de compreender e inferir acerca de estados mentais e comportamentos de outras pessoas? e (2) pode ser estabelecida alguma relação sistemática entre "estilo de apego" e "aquisição da teoria da mente"? 40 crianças, subdivididas em dois grupos (3 e 4 anos de idade) participaram do presente estudo. Para cada criança, foram aplicadas duas tarefas de crença falsa (CF) e uma tarefa de histórias de apego incompletas. Foram realizadas análises de cunho quantitativo e qualitativo. Os resultados encontrados apontam para uma correlação positiva entre o estilo de apego seguro e o bom desempenho nas tarefas de CF.(AU)

ResumenEl objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las posibles relaciones entre la teoría de la mente y el apego madre-bebé. Fueron propuestas dos preguntas de investigación: (1) ¿a qué edad un niño presenta la capacidad de comprender e inferir los estados mentales y los comportamientos de los demás? y (2) ¿Puede establecerse alguna relación sistemática entre el "estilo de apego" y la "adquisición de la teoría de la mente"? 40 niños, divididos en dos grupos según la edad (3 y 4 años) - fueron investigados. Para cada niño, se aplicaron dos tareas de falsa creencia (FC) y una tarea con historias de apego incompletas. Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo. Los resultados señalan una correlación positiva entre el estilo de apego seguro y un buen rendimiento en las tareas de FC.(AU)

Desempenho intelectual pós tratamento de câncer: um estudo com crianças / Intellectual outcome after cancer treatment: a study with children

Na atualidade cresce a preocupação com a neurotoxicidade do tratamento antineoplásico e o neurodesenvolvimento. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o impacto da modalidade de tratamento sobre a capacidade intelectiva de 22 sobreviventes de Tumores de Fossa Posterior e Leucemia Linfóide Aguda com idades entre seis e 14 anos. Participantes com astrocitoma foram submetidos à cirurgia; aqueles com meduloblastoma à cirurgia, à quimioterapia sistêmica e à radioterapia de crânio e neuroeixo (54Gy) e; aqueles com LLA à quimioterapia sistêmica e intratecal. Apenas os participantes com astrocitoma obtiveram desempenho dentro do esperado. Observou-se contrastes estatisticamente significativos entre os grupos, notadamente entre as crianças com meduloblastoma e as demais nos escores não verbais. Sugere-se que a combinação cirurgia, quimioterapia sistêmica e radioterapia potencializou as sequelas cognitivas, e reforça-se a hipótese de que a radioterapia acarreta danos à substância branca. A quimioterapia intratecal associada à sistêmica promoveu impactos significativos sobre o funcionamento executivo.

Concerns about the neurotoxicity of antineoplastic treatment and neurodevelopment are increasing nowadays. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of treatment modality on intellectual functioning of 22 survivors of Posterior Fossa Tumors and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia aged from six to 14 years. The astrocytoma group underwent surgery; the medulloblastoma group underwent surgery, systemic chemotherapy, and cranial and neuraxis radiation (54Gy); the LLA group underwent systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy. Only the astrocytoma group obtained average performance. Significant contrasts were obtained between groups, especially among the medulloblastoma group and others in non-verbal scores. Results suggest that the combination of surgery, radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy increase the cognitive sequelae and enhance the hypothesis that radiation damages white matter. The association between intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy leads to significant impact on executive functioning.