title: Performance-based measure of executive function: comparison of community and at-risk youth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We compared abilities and strategy use of at-risk youth aged 16-21 yr with those of a community sample of high school students using a performance measure of executive function, the Weekly Calendar Planning Activity (WCPA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited students from an alternative school for at-risk youth (n = 113) and from community high schools in the same region (n = 49). We collected demographic information from and administered the WCPA to both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The at-risk group made more errors, used fewer strategies, and broke more rules than the community group; however, the groups were similar in average time for planning and task completion. Moderate relationships were found between WCPA and academic performance in the at-risk group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparison of at-risk and community youth provides support for discriminant validity of the WCPA and indicates that the WCPA is useful in identifying adolescents who are at risk for occupational performance deficits.
authors: School of Health and Natural Sciences, Mercy College, 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522, USA. jtoglia@mercy.edu
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Toglia
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Berg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis