The Effictiveness of Arsh Leisure Time Program on the Working Memory, Cognitive Capacity and Communication Skills of Children with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Intellectual disability affects all aspect of individual's life, while applying leisure time program has been associated with effective outcomes. Present study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of Arsh leisure time program on the working memory, cognitive capacity and communication skills of children with intellectual disability. The present research was a semi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test design and control group. The participants were 30 girl children with intellectual disability from exceptional schools in Isfahan city using randomly method. Subjects were divided into experimental and control groups, each group consisting of 15 children. The experimental group received 16 sessions of Arsh leisure time program and the control group did not. The instruments were working memory test battery for children (2017), Wechsler intelligence scale for children (2003) and communication skills questionnaire (1990). Data were analyzed by MANCOVA. The results showed that Arsh leisure time program had a significant effect on the working memory, cognitive capacity and communication skills of subjects (P<0.0001). Arsh leisure time program improved working memory, cognitive capacity and communication skills of children with intellectual disability. So planning leisure time program for these children have specific importance.

Keywords

• leisure time
• working memory
• cognitive capacity
• communication skills
• intellectual disability