Prevention by specific perceptual remediation for vulnerable first-graders. Controlled study and follow-up of lasting effects.
In a pretest-posttest design with two matched control groups, 86 first-graders screened as vulnerable to academic failure and behavioral decompensation were each assigned to one of three groups: (1) channel-specific perceptual stimulation, (2) regular academic tutoring (contact controls), or (3) no contact. On most measures, including perceptual and achievement tests and behavior ratings by teachers, group 1 showed more improvement than either of the control groups. Several of these differences were significant (P less than .05, two-tailed). In general, the two control groups came closer to each other than to group 1. With no further intervention, follow-up one year later showed more dramatic significance. On every measure, group 1's improvement surpassed that of the control groups, and diverged from them even more than at posttest; this divergence was significant on most measures. Group 1 improved significantly (P less than .05 to P less than .01) in reading, IQ, and three behavior scales, while both control groups showed only deterioration on these measures. Group 1 gained five IQ points on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, while the controls lost five. On the Davids Scale, group 1 improved significantly (P less than .01) to "probably not hyperkinetic," while both control groups deteriorated to "probably hyperkinetic." The hypothesized mechanism of group 1's behavioral superiority at follow-up was its significant (P less than 0.1) reading improvement, with secondary emotional benefits.
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000517:prevention & control; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010465:Perception; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012073:Remedial Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D012574:Schools