Funding outcome

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) and childhood stroke often experience lifelong cognitive and behavioural difficulties. Executive functioning (EF) (e.g., inhibition, decision making, working memory) is an important part of cognitive development and is related to many life outcomes. Children with CP show some EF impairments, but EF is rarely studied in the childhood stroke population. Children specifically with perinatal stroke (occurring during pregnancy or within the first month after birth) show some reduced cognitive abilities, but there is very limited information on their EF abilities. The goal of this research to evaluate the pattern cognitive and behavioural abilities of children (aged 6 to 16 years) with perinatal stroke. We will also examine whether the presence of seizures impacts their functioning as well as the relationship between EF difficulties and functional life outcomes (social, adaptive, mental health, and quality of life). Understanding how EF is impacted in children with perinatal stroke may help to improve their functional outcomes.