Computer Games to Improve Attention in Children with FASD
Prenatal alcohol exposure can affect the brain in a variety of ways; this damage is
termed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD. In children with FASD,
attention and working memory are often affected. Attention is necessary to be
able to focus on what is important, and working memory is required to keep
information active in our minds, manipulate it, and use it in our thinking. These
abilities are very important for reasoning, understanding, planning and learning.
What is the purpose of the study?
 To use fun and rewarding computer games to improve attention and working memory abilities
in children with FASD.
How is the study done?
 The computer game “Caribbean Quest” is a game that was specially designed to provide practice
in paying attention and holding information in mind, while
playing a fun and engaging game.
 Children participating in the study play the game at school
with a trained therapist, or coach, alongside. The coach offers
different strategies to help them be more successful and
helps children think about their performance and how they
could improve; this has been shown to help with their
success.
 The game is designed to be fun for children of all ages. It
adjusts in difficulty level based on each child’s performance;
children are challenged with increasingly demanding games, but never experience extended
periods of difficulty or failure.
Why is this study important?
 Improving working memory and attention in children with FASD could help them with learning
and everyday activities and improve their quality of life
 Working memory and attention are affected in a number of childhood disorders besides FASD;
this computer game has the potential to help many children with these difficulties.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kimberly A. Kerns (University of Victoria)
Co-investigators: Dr. Bruce Gooch (University of Victoria), Dr. Jacqueline Pei (University of Alberta), Dr. Carmen
Rasmussen (University of Alberta)
Collaborators: Dr. Christian Beaulieu (University of Alberta), Dr. Jonathan Down (Vancouver Island Health
Authority)
For further information: www.fasdatuvic.ca