Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster Formation
Expressive language delays and executive functioning challenges are common in youth with Down syndrome (DS). Verbal fluency is one method to investigate these constructs. We examined semantic verbal fluency responses to determine patterns in response generation and the psychometric properties of cod...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/1/9 |
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| author | Emily K. Schworer Shequanna Belizaire Emily K. Hoffman Anna J. Esbensen |
| author_facet | Emily K. Schworer Shequanna Belizaire Emily K. Hoffman Anna J. Esbensen |
| author_sort | Emily K. Schworer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Expressive language delays and executive functioning challenges are common in youth with Down syndrome (DS). Verbal fluency is one method to investigate these constructs. We examined semantic verbal fluency responses to determine patterns in response generation and the psychometric properties of coded cluster formations. Participants were 97 children and adolescents with DS ranging in age from 6 to 19 years old. The semantic verbal fluency task was administered at two time points, two weeks apart. Heterogeneity in performance was observed for responses when coded either with conventional or contextual classifications. Overall, the number of switches in conventional classifications was greater than contextual classifications. This implies that participants did not use traditional (conventional) categories to organize their semantic verbal fluency responses, but may have been using contextual strategies. However, the number of switches and cluster size variables had poor to moderate test–retest reliability, which indicated that participants did not stay consistent with their performance over the two-week testing interval, regardless of the strategies used. Therefore, conventional and contextual clusters and switches as a measure of executive control may not be appropriate for all individuals with DS and additional attention is warranted to determine the utility of response coding in this population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:49:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-afb5d5eb4ea34a7598a3d24e04c96959 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:49:22Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-afb5d5eb4ea34a7598a3d24e04c969592023-11-23T13:08:40ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252021-12-01121910.3390/brainsci12010009Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster FormationEmily K. Schworer0Shequanna Belizaire1Emily K. Hoffman2Anna J. Esbensen3Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USADivision of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USADivision of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USADivision of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USAExpressive language delays and executive functioning challenges are common in youth with Down syndrome (DS). Verbal fluency is one method to investigate these constructs. We examined semantic verbal fluency responses to determine patterns in response generation and the psychometric properties of coded cluster formations. Participants were 97 children and adolescents with DS ranging in age from 6 to 19 years old. The semantic verbal fluency task was administered at two time points, two weeks apart. Heterogeneity in performance was observed for responses when coded either with conventional or contextual classifications. Overall, the number of switches in conventional classifications was greater than contextual classifications. This implies that participants did not use traditional (conventional) categories to organize their semantic verbal fluency responses, but may have been using contextual strategies. However, the number of switches and cluster size variables had poor to moderate test–retest reliability, which indicated that participants did not stay consistent with their performance over the two-week testing interval, regardless of the strategies used. Therefore, conventional and contextual clusters and switches as a measure of executive control may not be appropriate for all individuals with DS and additional attention is warranted to determine the utility of response coding in this population.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/1/9Down syndrometrisomy 21verbal fluencypsychometricslanguagechild |
| spellingShingle | Emily K. Schworer Shequanna Belizaire Emily K. Hoffman Anna J. Esbensen Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster Formation Brain Sciences Down syndrome trisomy 21 verbal fluency psychometrics language child |
| title | Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster Formation |
| title_full | Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster Formation |
| title_fullStr | Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster Formation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster Formation |
| title_short | Semantic Verbal Fluency in Youth with Down Syndrome: Analysis of Conventional and Contextual Cluster Formation |
| title_sort | semantic verbal fluency in youth with down syndrome analysis of conventional and contextual cluster formation |
| topic | Down syndrome trisomy 21 verbal fluency psychometrics language child |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/1/9 |
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