Patterns of time processing ability in children with and without developmental disabilities

• Keywords:child development;cluster analysis;time management;time orientation;time perceptionBackground  Children with developmental disabilities, e.g. intellectual disability or autism, are reported to have problems in time perception, time orientation or time management, i.e. in time-processing ability (TPA). The aim was to investigate whether the problems described are diagnosis specific or reflect differences in age or in level of TPA.Methods  Using a cross-sectional design, this study investigated if there were different patterns of TPA in 5- to 10-year-old children with (n = 77) and without disabilities (n = 89). The results indicated that the patterns of TPA mainly follow the chronological age of children without disabilities, all clusters differing as regards levels of TPA. Daily time management (as estimated by the parents) and children’s self-rated autonomy differed between clusters and was related to TPA.Conclusions  The level of TPA seems to be a more valid overall base than the type of diagnosis for the planning of interventions in daily time management.

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