Measurement of Selective Attention in Schoolchildren With Cerebral Palsy

Deficits in executive function in children with cerebral palsy are accompanied by cognitive, behavioral, and communication disorders. Neuropsychological evaluations have been limited in this population because of the difficulty in communication and the lack of digitized tests that integrate augmented alternative communication (AAC) systems due to motor problems in children with cerebral palsy. This article describes the design and application of an eye tracking system to measure the level of selective attention (low, medium, or high) in school children with cerebral palsy. The software consists of three programs: eye tracking technology training, training evaluation, and selective attention testing. Twenty children with cerebral palsy participated in the study, all of whom completed the assessment (M = 8.75 years, SD = 1.80). Despite the additional cognitive load generated by the use of eye tracking, the results showed that 55% of the students had a low level of attention and 45% had normal attention. This demonstrates the potential of the system for monitoring attention levels in individuals with cerebral palsy.