Abstract
Background. The analysis of developmental trajectories of visuospatial abilities in individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) remains an unexplored field of investigation to examine in depth. The study aimed to fill such a gap by examining changes in two visuospatial abilities: spatial visualization (the ability to manage spatial stimuli) and mental rotation (the ability to rotate spatial stimuli). Method. Eighty-seven participants with DS, aged between 7 and 53 years (forty-seven males and forty females), completed spatial visualization and mental rotation tasks. Changes in these two abilities were analyzed in relation to chronological age and developmental level, the latter derived from Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices. Results. Chronological age was linearly associated with spatial visualization performance, whereas mental rotation performance increased until 14 years of age and then decreased. Developmental level was linearly associated with increased performance in spatial visualization, the trend in mental rotation was segmented with an increase after 5 years of age. Furthermore, developmental trajectories in mental rotation depended on the rotation degree. Conclusion. Chronological age explains a modest quote of variance. Developmental level better describes changes in spatial visualization and mental rotation of individuals with DS.
Highlights
Visuospatial abilities allow the generation, retention, and transformation of abstract visual images [1], which are the basis of spatial thinking [2]
Overall the results show that developmental trajectories in typical development (TD) children are linear, considering both spatial visualization and mental rotation [29,32,35]
This report contributes to the understanding of changes in the cognitive development of individuals with Down Syndrome (DS), in particular with reference to two visuospatial abilities: spatial visualization and mental rotation
Summary
Visuospatial abilities allow the generation, retention, and transformation of abstract visual images [1], which are the basis of spatial thinking [2]. Visuospatial abilities are classically distinguished into three sub-factors [3]: spatial perception (the ability to locate an object, analyze the relation between spatial elements), spatial visualization (the ability to perform multi-step manipulations of complex spatial information), mental rotation (the ability to manipulate figures by rotating 2D or 3D stimuli). Eighty-seven participants with DS, aged between 7 and 53 years (forty-seven males and forty females), completed spatial visualization and mental rotation tasks. Changes in these two abilities were analyzed in relation to chronological age and developmental level, the latter derived from Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices. Developmental level better describes changes in spatial visualization and mental rotation of individuals with DS
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
