Cognitive subtypes of mathematics learning difficulties in primary education

D. Bartelet*, D. Ansari, A. Vaessen, L. Blomert

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

It has been asserted that children with mathematics learning difficulties (MLD) constitute a heterogeneous group. To date, most researchers have investigated differences between predefined MLD subtypes. Specifically MLD children are frequently categorized a priori into groups based on the presence or absence of an additional disorder, such as a reading disorder, to examine cognitive differences between MLD subtypes. In the current study 226 third to six grade children (M age=131 months) with MLD completed a selection of number specific and general cognitive measures. The data driven approach was used to identify the extent to which performance of the MLD children on these measures could be clustered into distinct groups. In particular, after conducting a factor analysis, a 200 times repeated K-means clustering approach was used to classify the children's performance. Results revealed six distinguishable clusters of MLD children, specifically (a) a weak mental number line group, (b) weak ANS group, (c) spatial difficulties group, (d) access deficit group, (e) no numerical cognitive deficit group and (f) a garden-variety group. These findings imply that different cognitive subtypes of MLD exist and that these can be derived from data-driven approaches to classification. These findings strengthen the notion that MLD is a heterogeneous disorder, which has implications for the way in which intervention may be tailored for individuals within the different subtypes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)657-670
Number of pages14
JournalResearch in Developmental Disabilities
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2014

Keywords

  • Basic cognitive processing skills
  • Mathematics learning difficulties
  • Cognitive subtypes
  • Primary school children
  • WORKING-MEMORY
  • DEVELOPMENTAL DYSCALCULIA
  • NUMERICAL CAPACITIES
  • CHILDREN
  • NUMBER
  • DISABILITIES
  • DEFICITS
  • DEFINITIONS
  • ACHIEVEMENT
  • VALIDITY

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