Working memory in children with down syndrome

Abstract

The Down Syndrome (DS) or Trisomy 21 is a common chromosome disorder which has an extra chromosome on the 21st pair resulted in impairments and limitations in developmental abilities and physical growth. Memory is one of the vital features of deficits in cognitive development in Down syndrome. Working memory refers to the capacity to store and manipulate information for brief period of time. It is a cognitive system required for various cognitive tasks. The sample of this study consisted of forty 6-14 years old children and adolescents with Down syndrome who scores at or below the 15th centile on listening recall and backward digit recalls (two subtests from AWMA) within the Kuala Lumpur district. Prerequisite requirements (no physical and sensory impairment) were met. The tool that had being used to assess the level of working memory in children and adolescents with Down syndrome is the Automated Working Memory Assessment (AWMA), a cognitive- based measure of working memory. Result showed that children with Down syndrome achieved highest score in visuo- spatial working memory (M=69.9) followed by verbal working memory (M=68.5), verbal short term memory (M=66.62) and visuo- spatial short term memory (M=62.02).