PIAFEX-SD: Programa de Intervenção em Autorregulação e Funções Executivas para a Síndrome de Down

Abstract

In recent years, research has highlighted that deficits in executive functions (EF) constitute one of the main characteristics of the cognitive functioning of individuals with Down Syndrome (DS). Difficulties are identified in the initiation of activities, construction of plans and strategies, updating and monitoring of these, maintenance of focus and persistence, cognitive flexibility, among other aspects. Such damages negatively impact the lives of these individuals and point to the need for the elaboration of intervention programs that seek to stimulate the development of EF in this clinical subgroup, since these functions are considered fundamental for the accomplishment of several activities of our daily life, especially for learning and school success. In this sense, the present research had as objective to adapt an intervention program of the EF to the clinical group of the DS. In order to achieve this objective, two studies were carried out, the study I: I) Investigation of aspects of the Neuropsychological Phenotype of school children with DS; and study II) PIAFEX-DS: Intervention Program in Self-Regulation and Executive Functions for DS. Thirty-one children diagnosed with DS, aged 7 to 12 years, of both sexes, as well as their respective parents or guardians participated in the study. These were assessed through specific neuropsychological scales and measures. The results of this study contributed to the understanding of aspects of the neuropsychological phenotype of DS, aspects that were taken into account in the adaptation of the intervention in study II, such as the pronounced deficits in working memory, the level of development lowered in the different subdomains of the adaptive behavior, the observed mental ages and the presence or absence of ADHD symptoms in these children and the impact of this for their results. In relation to study II, initially, a detailed analysis of the modules and activities that PIAFEX composite was performed, aiming to select them and adapt them to the neuropsychological phenotype of DS. After the adaptation, the program was sent to specialists judges in the DS, with the objective of evaluating it, as well as making possible its improvement and/or reformulation. After the synthesis of the judges' evaluation, the program was piloted with a group of three children with DS, in order to verify their suitability for this clinical group. At the end of this process, the program was reviewed and the last modifications were made. This research made possible the availability to the population with DS of an unprecedented intervention program aimed at the stimulation of EF. Such a study may serve as a basis for subsequent interventions and instrumentalize the work, in the future, of several professionals who work with these individuals, either in a clinical context or in a school context.