Research master thesis | Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies (research) (MSc)
open access
Objective: In this study we addressed the questions (1) whether there is a relation between the specialization of the brain and psychopathology, and (2) if there is a relationship between the...Show moreObjective: In this study we addressed the questions (1) whether there is a relation between the specialization of the brain and psychopathology, and (2) if there is a relationship between the specialization of the brain and performance on different academic measures. Method: We used the Finger Tapping Task (FTT) to assess maturation of the brain as measured by fine motor speed, and lateralization of the brain as measured by the difference in speed between both hands. Both maturation and lateralization are used as a measure of specialization of the brain. The participants were children in the age of 5 to 18 years old and were assigned to five distinct diagnostic groups: Mood problems (n=178), Behavior problems (n=82), Autism spectrum Disorders (n=106), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (n=190) and Learning problems (n=44). The diagnostic groups differ with regard to age and gender. Results: We found that children with an autism spectrum disorder show delayed fine motor lateralization. We were also able to determine that the differences in fine motor speed between the different diagnostic groups get larger with age indicating that delayed maturation gets more evident while children get older. Looking at the academic measures, we found that a more matured brain, as measured with fine motor speed, is associated with better academic performance, even when controlled for age. Conclusion: Autism spectrum disorders can be differentiated from other disorders when looking at lateralization of the brain. A more matured brain is associated with a significant higher level of academic performance for math, reading and Writing.Show less
