The impact of early arterial ischemic stroke consequences on primary schoolchildren’s learning abilities

Introduction. This study investigates how early arterial ischemic stroke influences children’s intellectual development and academic performance. The aim of the research is to study the intelligence characteristics in the primary schoolchildren who have suffered an arterial ischemic stroke under two years of age. Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the research is Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children within the framework of which both verbal and non-verbal intelligence types were considered as subsctructures of general intelligence. The following methods were used: theoretical analysis of literature, empirical data acquisition (psychological tests for intelligence level assessment and questionnaire for parents), MRI and CT data qualitative processing, and statistical analysis. Results. It was revealed that stroke type (cortical or subcortical), left and right hemispheric stroke lateralization may affect the verbal intelligence. Non-verbal intelligence is sensitive to any age of stroke debut, combined stroke type, right and bilateral stroke localization. Conclusions. The authors conclude about the need to take into account qualitative stroke characteristics (type, lateralization, and age of debut) in work with primary schoolchildren with early stroke history. Considering these characteristics affecting verbal and non-verbal intelligence will allow teachers to develop more flexible and learner-centered approaches directed to more successful mastering of general education programs.