Troy Janzen

Differences in baseline EEG measures for ADD and normally achieving preadolescent males.

This study was designed as a replication of previous studies describing dynamic EEG differences between behaviorally dissimilar groups. This study is intended as a reference point from which other researchers can continue to establish the EEG correlates of “on-task” behavior. Eight Attention Deficit Disordered (ADD) children and eight Normally Achieving Controls (NAC) were assessed using dynamic EEG measures. Results are reported for the tasks of baseline (eyes open), reading, and drawing as recorded from FZ, CZ, PZ, C3, and C4. Significant amplitude differences between the groups were demonstrated in the theta band (4–8 hertz) during all tasks and for all sites. Amplitude differences in the beta band (12–20 hertz) were negligible. Differences between groups expressed as a ratio of theta/beta revealed significant differences mainly in the parietal region for on-task conditions. These results are discussed in relation to EEG neuro-feedback training paradigms and the importance of establishing normative “on-task” EEG values.

Innovative Programs for Improvement in Reading Through Cognitive Enhancement A Remediation Study of Canadian First Nations Children

Forty-five Grade 3 students from a reservation school in Western Canada were divided into two remedial groups and a no-risk control group. One remedial group was given a classroom-administered cognitive enhancement program (COGENT) throughout the school year. The second group received COGENT for the first half of the year followed by a pull-out cognitive-based reading enhancement program (PREP). Children were assessed across phonological awareness, rapid naming, reading, and cognitive ability at the beginning of the year, midterm, and at the end of the school year. MANOVA results showed a significant interaction for reading measures, with students receiving classroom intervention over the school year making the greatest gains. Results are discussed in terms of group, remediation program, and individual participant improvements.

INFLUENCE OF DISTAL AND PROXIMAL COGNITIVE PROCESSES ON WORD READING

The objectives of the present study were twofold: (a) to explore the interrelationship among distal, proximal cognitive skills, and word reading; and (b) to identify those cognitive processes that predict phonological awareness and rapid naming. Seventy First-Nation Canadian children attending grades 3 and 4 were examined on phonological awareness, rapid naming, Word Identification, Word Attack, and the cognitive processing measures of planning, attention, successive, and simultaneous (PASS). Results indicated that phonological awareness and rapid naming uniquely predicted reading, whereas PASS variables did not, when the effects of phonological awareness and rapid naming were controlled. Finally, both phonological awareness and rapid naming were predicted by planning. Implications for diagnosis of children at risk for reading difficulties and remediation are discussed.

WISC-IV GAI and CPI in Psychoeducational Assessment

The General Ability Index (GAI) and Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI) are two index scores that can be calculated for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fourth Canadian Edition ((WISC-IVCDN). The GAI comprises the verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning subtests and reflects reasoning abilities. The CPI includes the working memory and processing-speed subtests that are more focused on the proficiency and efficiency of cognitive processing. This article presents GAI and CPI patterns observed in several small samples of referred children and includes three brief case examples of how the scores can provide another lens for analyzing children’s abilities with the WISC-IVCDN.

Administration and Scoring Errors of Graduate Students Learning the WISC-IV: Issues and Controversies

A total of 19 graduate students enrolled in a graduate course conducted 6 consecutive administrations of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition (WISC-IV, Canadian version). Test protocols were examined to obtain data describing the frequency of examiner errors, including administration and scoring errors. Results identified 511 errors on 94% of protocols with a mean of 4.48 errors per protocol. The most common errors were identified on the Vocabulary, Similarities, and Comprehension subtests, which comprised 80% of all errors. A repeated-measures ANOVA (analysis of variance) was not significant across six administrations, F(5, 90) = 1.609, p = .166, eta2 = .082, although there was a trend in the data for a reduced number of errors with successive administrations. Results were consistent with other studies that have determined graduate student administration and scoring errors do not improve with repeated administrations. Implications and recommendations to reduce administration and scoring errors among graduate students were discussed.

A Canadian Investigation of the Psychometric Properties of the Student Motivation and Learning Strategies Inventory.

The psychometric properties of the Student Motivation and Learning Strategies Inventory (SMALSI) were examined using a sample of 404 Grade 6 students from an urban Canadian school system. Students completed the SMALSI and school factors included final school grades, attendance records, and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies results from Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs). Confirmatory factor analysis of SMALSI demonstrated less than adequate fit for each individual SMALSI factor though with some covariance of similar items, the model fit approached acceptable limits for most factors. Results generally confirmed that the SMALSI subscales were significantly related to all of the achievement variables including PAT results and final school grades. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that writing and research skills, test-taking skills, low motivation, and test anxiety all contributed to the prediction of PAT results. Test anxiety was a significant predictor of achievement across all subject areas. Canadian Grade 6 students demonstrated lower motivation, less test anxiety, and fewer attention problems but were otherwise comparable with the U.S. sample. Results provide convergent evidence supporting the psychometric properties of the SMALSI with a Canadian sample; however, there is some room to improve the overall model fit in subsequent revisions of this measure.

Promoting the strengths and resilience of an Indigenous community through photovoice

In the face of negative media attention, community members and Elders from the First Nation community of Maskwacis identified the importance of promoting community strengths and reframing perceptions of their community. Two research questions were addressed: (1) How do youth in Maskwacis view their community strengths? and (2) To what extent can photographs be used as a tool for reframing perceptions of an Indigenous community? A community-based participatory research approach was used for the current photovoice project, through which two Elders and eleven youth were engaged. Indigenous photographers trained youth participants, and Elders mentored youth to capture photographs that represented their communitys strengths and resilience. Youth selected forty photos to display at a total of six photo exhibits, where feedback was gathered from 392 attendees using brief questionnaires. The content of their photos was analyzed using thematic analysis. This resulted in four themes that described the strengths of Maskwacis, reflecting the communitys strong relationships, commitment to culture, the beautiful natural world that is a part of Maskwacis, and the communitys ability to look toward the future. In addition, findings provide foundational support for the use of photographs to reframe perceptions of an Indigenous community. The majority (93%) of survey respondents provided examples of ways that viewing the photos had positively changed their perceptions of Maskwacis. This study prompts consideration of the strengths and resilience of other Indigenous communities facing similar social and health issues. Therefore, findings are highly relevant to paediatric health care providers seeking to provide culturally responsive care.

Cognitive and Reading Profiles of Two Samples of Canadian First Nations Children: Comparing Two Models for Identifying Reading Disability.

Two Canadian First Nations samples of Grades 3 and 4 children were assessed for cognitive processing, word reading, and phonological awareness skills. Both groups were from Plains Cree rural reservations in different provinces. The two groups showed significant differences on several key cognitive variables although there were more similarities than differences. Groups, separately and combined, showed a significant relationship between decoding, phonological awareness variables, word decoding, and successive processing that has also been observed among children from the mainstream culture. In general, the cognitive processing, reading, and reading subskills of First Nations children are, on average, below the norms for these measures. The findings are discussed in terms of reading disability identification practices from a Discrepancy Model and the Consistency–Discrepancy Model using PASS (Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive) theory among First Nations children.