My Profile

Biography:

Although some of my work has been directed at the measurement of cognitive abilities in adults, my interests are primarily in the area of measuring cognitive development in children. My work in the area of measuring adult cognitive abilities is recognized nationally; I have served as consultant to the Department of National Defence on issue pertaining to the use of cognitive abilities testing in personnel selection and placement.

My earlier work in the area of children’s cognitive ablities focussed on the evaluation of models underlying children’s ability, and fitting growth functions to the rate of maturation of basic cognitive abilities in children. My recent research has taken a more applied perspective. For the past couple of years, I have been involved in research pertaining to the use of cognitive strategies for the remediation of performance problems in children. Although this research has focussed primarily on children with motor performance deficits, such children often have comorbid learning disabilities and attention difficulties.

Currently, I am planning a series of investigations into the application of the cognitive strategy for more academic based difficulties. Given the promising results of the cognitive strategy in the enhancement of motor performance, and the comorbidity of motor, speech, attentional, and learning disorders, it is reasonable to anticipate that the strategy may also be effective in the enhancement of speech, attentional, and learning abilities.

In addition, evidence suggests that this strategy may be effective in enhancing “normal” performance.