Evaluation of visual attention in developmentally delayed children

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the visual attention in developmentally delayed children by comparing it with normal children.

METHOD: A comparative cross-sectional study was performed in different special education institutes to evaluate the visual attention in developmentally children by using different tests including attention paradigm test. Total 60 children including 30 normal and 30
developmentally delayed children were assessed by applying different tests for evaluation of visual attention.

RESULTS: Out of 30 normal children, 74.4% were having good response for attention paradigm test while out of 30 developmentally
delayed children, 56.67% were having good response for the test. Same is the case with variation in gaze during the test. On the other hand, out of 30 normal children, 13.3% were having variation in gazes for attention paradigm test while out of 30 developmentally delayed children, 36.7%were having good response for the test which clearly shows that there is a significant difference in visual attention of developmentally delayed and normal children. The statistical test was performed by using Mann-Whitney test and Chi-square test (p value ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The process of visual attention like all other developmental processes is also delayed in developmentally delayed children as compared to normal children. However, Down's syndrome children have visual attention equally developed as that of normal children.