Patterns of WISC-V Performance in Children with Congenital Heart Disease.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common congenital birth defects. As surgical and interventional techniques have improved, the mortality has been greatly reduced and the focus has shifted to quality of life and long-term outcomes. The impact of CHD on development and cognition is becoming increasingly recognized. However, more research is needed to understand how children with CHD perform across various cognitive and intellectual domains. This study explored the performance of children with CHD on the newest version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children compared to normative controls. Children with CHD performed more poorly than normal controls across all indices and most subtests with large effect sizes. Additionally, we explored the patterns of impairment across indices and subtests, as well as the relationships between heard disease variables and WISC-V performance. Block design, Digit Span, and Similarities were the most commonly impaired scores in children with CHD, while Symbol Search, Picture Span, Figure Weights, and Vocabulary were least likely to be impaired.

Measuring executive functioning with the Multidimensional Everyday Memory Ratings for Youth (MEMRY): concurrent validity with the BRIEF-2 in a large neurological and medical sample.

Executive skills are critical cognitive skills for everyday functioning in children; accurate measurement using validated tools is thus important. The purpose of this study was to examine concurrent validity between the MEMRY Executive/Working Memory scale and the BRIEF2. Participants included a large pediatric clinical sample who completed parent (n = 567), teacher (n = 148), and self-report (n = 88) scales. All correlations were significant between the MEMRY Executive/Working Memory and the BRIEF2 Global Executive Composite, Cognitive Regulation Index, and Working Memory scale (all r's > .80). Classification agreement metrics ranged from fair to excellent. This study provides evidence of strong concurrent validity of the MEMRY Executive/Working Memory scale as a brief, useful tool for assessing executive functioning using parent, teacher, and self-report versions.

Parent ratings on the MEMRY questionnaire predict children's academic performance.

Given the high rates of learning challenges in children with medical conditions, efficient and reliable screening methods are crucial. This study examined whether parent report of daily learning and memory predicts academic achievement in youth. Parents of 213 youth (aged 6-18) with varied medical diagnoses completed the Multidimensional Everyday Memory Ratings for Youth (MEMRY), and youth completed subtests from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Third Edition (WIAT-III) as part of a comprehensive assessment. All scales of the MEMRY (Learning, Daily Memory, Executive/Working Memory) correlated significantly with WIAT-III Spelling, Word Reading, and Numerical Operations, while only the MEMRY Learning subscale correlated significantly with WIAT-III Pseudoword Decoding. Regression analyses indicated that MEMRY Learning significantly predicted WIAT-III Word Reading and Spelling, while both the MEMRY Learning and MEMRY Daily Memory scales significantly predicted WIAT-III Numerical Operations. When Full Scale IQ was entered into the models first, the MEMRY Learning subscale accounted for an additional 4% of variance in WIAT-III Word Reading and 7% of variance in WIAT-III Spelling, but did not account for additional variance in WIAT-III Numerical Operations or Pseudoword Decoding. Analyses in a subset of children with broadly normal intellectual functioning demonstrated very similar results, with even higher variance in academic testing accounted for by the MEMRY. In sum, the MEMRY questionnaire may serve as an efficient screen to identify children at risk for reading, spelling, and math deficits.

New Child and Adolescent Memory Profile Embedded Performance Validity Test.

OBJECTIVE: It is essential to interpret performance validity tests (PVTs) that are well-established and have strong psychometrics. This study evaluated the Child and Adolescent Memory Profile (ChAMP) Validity Indicator (VI) using a pediatric sample with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHOD: A cross-sectional sample of N = 110 youth (mean age = 15.1 years, standard deviation [SD] = 2.4 range = 8-18) on average 32.7 weeks (SD = 40.9) post TBI (71.8% mild/concussion; 3.6% complicated mild; 24.6% moderate-to-severe) were administered the ChAMP and two stand-alone PVTs. Criterion for valid performance was scores above cutoffs on both PVTs; criterion for invalid performance was scores below cutoffs on both PVTs. Classification statistics were used to evaluate the existing ChAMP VI and establish a new VI cutoff score if needed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographics or time since injury between those deemed valid (n = 96) or invalid (n = 14), but all ChAMP scores were significantly lower in those deemed invalid. The original ChAMP VI cutoff score was highly specific (no false positives) but also highly insensitive (sensitivity [SN] = .07, specificity [SP] = 1.0). Based on area under the curve (AUC) analysis (0.94), a new cutoff score was established using the sum of scaled scores (VI-SS). A ChAMP VI-SS score of 32 or lower achieved strong SN (86%) and SP (92%). Using a 15% base rate, positive predictive value was 64% and negative predictive value was 97%. CONCLUSIONS: The originally proposed ChAMP VI has insufficient SN in pediatric TBI. However, this study yields a promising new ChAMP VI-SS, with classification metrics that exceed any other current embedded PVT in pediatrics.

Brief memory assessment in children: can the ChAMP Screening Index detect memory impairment?

Abbreviated memory batteries play a role in some clinical and research assessments, but their validity and accuracy need to be well supported. The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of the ChAMP Screening Index for detecting memory impairment. The sample included N = 804 youths (ages 5-21 years) with medical and neurological diagnoses who were presented for a clinical neuropsychological assessment. All completed the full Child and Adolescent Memory Profile and had valid data. The ChAMP Screening Index contains the first two subtests of the battery (Lists and Objects) and takes about 10 min to administer (full ChAMP is about 35 min). Analyses to examine the accuracy of the ChAMP Screening Index with both the Total Memory Index and Delayed Memory Index included Intraclass correlations, Cohen's Kappa coefficients, receiver operating characteristics, and classification metrics (e.g., sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values [PPV], and negative predictive values [NPV]). Very strong correlations, minimal mean difference scores, substantial agreement on kappa coefficients, and outstanding receiver operating characteristics all support the Screening Index accuracy. A cutoff score on the Screening Index of 70 provides a good balance between a high PPV (.91) and a high NPV (.96) for the Total Memory Index. When detecting impairment on the Delayed Memory Index, a Screening Index cutoff score of 65 provides a balance between a high PPV (.92) and a high NPV (.94). This study supports the accuracy, validity, and utility of the 10-min ChAMP Screening Index in those clinical and research situations where a brief evaluation of memory is desired.