RESUMO

Misconceptions about how the brain works (neuromyths) are shown to be common among educators, but little is known about neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) neuromyths. Here, we explored the prevalence of both general and neurodevelopmental disorders neuromyths in Chilean teachers and other educational professionals. One hundred forty-four participants answered an online neuroscience knowledge, interest, and training questionnaire. Regression analysis showed that both teachers and non-teachers endorsed more neuromyths related to NDDs compared to general neuromyths and that familiarity with the NDDs but not necessarily neuroscience training or interest plays an important role in the endorsement of these neuromyths. The findings indicate that dyscalculia is the least known neurodevelopmental disorder. Although inclusion politics demand training for all educational actors, the current findings suggest effective translational efforts between neuroscience and education fields should continue.

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RESUMO

Resumen Las dificultades de aprendizaje, que pueden continuar manifestándose en la adultez, han mostrado vinculación con déficit en el procesamiento sensorial. El propósito de la investigación es indagar el perfil sensorial de adultos con y sin dificultades de aprendizaje (DA) en el área de lectoescritura. El estudio es cuantitativo no experimental. El perfil sensorial se evaluó a través de un cuestionario basado en el modelo de Dunn (1997b), que define cuatro patrones sensoriales a partir de la interacción entre el umbral neurológico y las estrategias de autorregulación, junto a un autorreporte de dificultades de aprendizaje. Los resultados mostraron puntuaciones similares en tres patrones sensoriales para ambos grupos, con diferencias significativas en el patrón sensorial de 'Espectador' (p = .038, d =0.5). Este patrón caracterizaría a adultos con DA con una tendencia a estrategias de autorregulación pasiva y umbral neurológico alto. Se concluye que las características de procesamiento sensorial pueden ser relevantes para orientar la intervención y apoyo de personas con DA. Se demuestra la relevancia de analizar el perfil de procesamiento sensorial para la comprensión de las dificultades de aprendizaje. En términos aplicados, amplía las posibilidades de apoyo para adultos con DA al visibilizar la necesidad de entornos que respondan a las características sensoriales individuales.

Abstract Learning difficulties, which may continue to manifest into adulthood, are linked to deficits in sensory processing. A study focused on investigating the sensory profile of adults with and without learning difficulties (LD) in literacy is presented. Quantitative and non-experimental study. The sensory profile was assessed through a questionnaire based on Dunn's model (1997b), which defines four sensory patterns based on the interaction between the neurological threshold and self-regulation strategies. We also included a self-reporting of LD. The results showed similar scores in three sensory patterns for both groups, with significant differences in the 'Bystander' sensory pattern (p = .038, d = 0.5). This pattern would characterize adults with LD with a tendency for passive self-regulation strategies and a high neurological threshold. Sensory processing characteristics may be relevant to guide the intervention and support of people with LD. Our findings demonstrate the relevance of analyzing the sensory processing profile for understanding learning difficulties. In applied terms, it expands support possibilities for adults with LD by highlighting the need for environments that respond to individual sensory characteristics.

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RESUMO

There is pervasive evidence that problems in sensory processing occur across a range of developmental disorders, but their aetiology and clinical significance remain unclear. The present study investigated the relation between sensory processing and literacy skills in children with and without a background of special educational needs (SEN). Twenty-six children aged between 7 and 12 years old, from both regular classes and SEN programmes, participated. Following baseline tests of literacy, fine motor skills and naming speed, two sets of instruments were administered: the carer-assessed Child Sensory Profile-2 and a novel Audiovisual Animal Stroop (AVAS) test. The SEN group showed significantly higher ratings on three Child Sensory Profile-2 quadrants, together with body position ratings. The SEN participants also showed a specific deficit when required to ignore an accompanying incongruent auditory stimulus on the AVAS. Interestingly, AVAS performance correlated significantly with literacy scores and with the sensory profile scores. It is proposed that the children with SEN showed a specific deficit in "filtering out" irrelevant auditory input. The results highlight the importance of including analysis of sensory processes within theoretical and applied approaches to developmental differences and suggest promising new approaches to the understanding, assessment, and support of children with SEN.