PGR – 2 Impact of Social Isolation and Environmental Deprivation on Neurocognitive Development: a Case Study

Abstract Objective Few empirical studies examine the impact of social isolation and environmental deprivation on neurocognitive development without involving abuse, neglect, brain injury, or significant illness. This case study presents a unique neurodevelopmental experience of prolonged social isolation and environmental deprivation without other neurocognitive factors, enabling direct investigation of social deprivation’s effects on neurocognitive development. Such cases are relevant given recent findings on altered neurodevelopmental trajectories in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method LM, a 10-year-old female, was referred for evaluation due to attention/executive functioning and comprehension issues. Her birth history was uncomplicated, and she developed typically during childhood. LM received virtual instruction from kindergarten through 4th grade, with restricted exposure to environments outside the home and limited in-person interaction beyond her parents. Results Testing revealed intact expressive language skills but impaired visual-motor processing, executive functioning, comprehension, and pragmatic language. Observations noted social naivety and difficulties with visual orientation and planning. LM was diagnosed with ADHD inattentive presentation, receptive language disorder, and other specified neurodevelopmental disorder. Recommendations included psychotherapy, visual processing and audiological assessments, occupational therapy, educational support, and increased social participation. Conclusion This case underscores the necessity of diverse social environments for typical neurocognitive development and raises questions about whether prolonged social isolation in childhood leads to impaired pragmatic communication, visual–spatial processing, and executive functioning. The long-term neurocognitive consequences of social distancing and virtual instruction on children’s education and brain development will be discussed. Future research should continue exploring the differential impacts of social distancing on academic, social, and psychological development.