Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Consuming alcohol during pregnancy poses great risks to the developing unborn child. The series of cognitive and neurological problems that can occur are termed fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Youth with this disorder have been found to have difficulty with the performance of arithmetic, in comparison to other academic abilities. However, little is known about the underlying factors contributing to mathematical problems in these children. This project will examine the academic achievement and executive functioning (EF) of children and adolescents with FASD. It will test the math, reading and spelling achievement of these youths, and we will investigate whether ability in each of these domains is predicted by higher cognitive functions (EFs). Furthermore, this project will investigate whether these variables are associated with the neurological integrity of specific brain regions. Difficulties in cognitive functioning are likely related to the adverse effects of alcohol on the developing brain. Our research will help to elucidate the types of academic problems in youth with FASD, and the origins of these difficulties. If EFs are a direct predictor of academic ability, then this will be an impetus for the development of cognitive intervention. Discovering neurological features related to cognitive and academic difficulty will also make it easier to identify children who are especially in need of cognitive intervention during a period of early brain plasticity. Ultimately, this project aims to improve the neuro-cognitive ability, school performance, and quality of life of youth with FASD.