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A COMPARISON OF THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING OF MILDLY MENTALLY RETARDED AND NONRETARDED CHILDREN: AN EXAMINATION OF THE NEBRASKA NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION (LURIA)

CLAUDETTE H OZOA, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

This study examines the neuropsychological functioning of mildly retarded children as compared to a matched non-retarded control group. Past studies suggest that the neuropsychological functioning of mildly retarded children has not been sufficiently researched and that the field lacks a sensitive assessment instrument which would discern patterns of strengths and weaknesses in the performance of these children. The Nebraska Neuropsychological Evaluation (NNE) is an experimental version of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery. The NNE is designed for use with both children and adults and is intended to provide comprehensive information on neuropsychological functioning. By using the Nebraska Neuropsychological Evaluation, it was hoped that performance patterns for mildly retarded children and non-retarded children would be uncovered. In the present study, 53 mild/borderline mentally retarded children and 44 non-retarded children were given the Nebraska Neuropsychological Evaluation. Non-retarded children performed significantly better than retarded children on all but one subscale. Age (young vs. old) and sex (males vs. females) comparisons were also performed on the sample. No significant differences were found between the sexes. Age comparisons found older children performing significantly better than younger children on all but two subtest groups. Performance patterns of strengths and weaknesses were generally found. These results were interpreted in relation to the developmental and difference theories of mental retardation. A critique of the Nebraska Neuropsychological Evaluation is presented. Finally, implications for future research in the area of mental retardation and neuropsychology were explored.

Subject Area

Psychotherapy

Recommended Citation

OZOA, CLAUDETTE H, "A COMPARISON OF THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING OF MILDLY MENTALLY RETARDED AND NONRETARDED CHILDREN: AN EXAMINATION OF THE NEBRASKA NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION (LURIA)" (1987). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8804004.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8804004

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