Amanda Kirby - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Amanda Kirby

Research paper thumbnail of Children with developmental coordination disorders

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Apr 1, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of The Relationships between Self-Reported Motor Functioning and Autistic Traits: The Italian Version of the Adult Developmental Coordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Background: We developed the Italian version of the adult developmental co-ordination disorders/d... more Background: We developed the Italian version of the adult developmental co-ordination disorders/dyspraxia checklist (ADC), providing reliability and concurrent validity data for the scale (Aim 1). In addition, we investigated the relationships between motor coordination difficulties and different autistic traits (Aim 2). Methods: 498 participants (341 females; age range = 18–34) underwent the Italian version of the ADC, as well as a handwriting speed test, the autism spectrum quotient, the empathy quotient, and the systemizing quotient. Results: The distinction between three main factors (A, B, and C) identified in the original version of the ADC was confirmed here. Internal consistency of the ADC subscales was adequate, as well as the correlation with the handwriting speed test used to assess concurrent validity. No substantial sex differences on the ADC scores were found. Furthermore, data revealed that poor autistic-related communication skills and lower levels of systemizing ten...

Research paper thumbnail of Children with Developmental Co-ordination Disorder: A Qualitative Study of Parents' Descriptions

Advances in Physiotherapy, 2001

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Beighton Score: A Valid Measure for Generalized Hypermobility in Children

The Journal of Pediatrics, 2011

Objective To evaluate the validity of the Beighton score as a generalized measure of hypermobilit... more Objective To evaluate the validity of the Beighton score as a generalized measure of hypermobility and to measure the prevalence of hypermobility and pain in a random population of school age children. Study design Prospective study of 551 children attending various Dutch elementary schools participated; 47% were males (258) and 53% (293) females, age range was 6 to 12 years. Children's joints and movements were assessed according to the Beighton score by qualified physiotherapists and by use of goniometry measuring 16 passive ranges of motion of joints on both sides of the body. Results More than 35% of children scored more than 5/9 on the Beighton score. Children who scored high on the Beighton score also showed increased range of motion in the other joints measured. Moreover 12.3% of children had symptoms of joint pain, and 9.1% complained of pain after exercise or sports. Importantly, this percentage was independent of the Beighton score. There were no significant differences in Beighton score for sex in this population.

Research paper thumbnail of Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of individuals with neurofibromatosis 1

Journal of Medical Genetics, 2006

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common neurocutaneous condition with an autosomal dominant pattern... more Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common neurocutaneous condition with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. The complications are diverse and disease expression varies, even within families. Progress in molecular biology and neuroimaging and the development of mouse models have helped to elucidate the aetiology of NF1 and its clinical manifestations. Furthermore, these advances have raised the prospect of therapeutic intervention for this complex and distressing disease. Members of the United Kingdom Neurofibromatosis Association Clinical Advisory Board collaborated to produce a consensus statement on the current guidelines for diagnosis and management of NF1. The proposals are based on published clinical studies and on the pooled knowledge of experts in neurofibromatosis with experience of providing multidisciplinary clinical and molecular services for NF1 patients. The consensus statement discusses the diagnostic criteria, major differential diagnoses, clinical manifestations and the present strategies for monitoring and management of NF1 complications.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnosing developmental coordination disorders

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2013

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects around 5% of children and commonly overlaps wit... more Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects around 5% of children and commonly overlaps with other developmental disorders including: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and specific language impairment (SLI). There is evidence to demonstrate the wide-ranging impact on all areas of functioning including psychiatric and learning domains. There is increasing evidence of the continuing impact into adulthood and the long-term negative effects on relationships and employment. There is a need for early identification and intervention to limit the likelihood of these secondary consequences from emerging. This paper addresses the diagnosis of DCD.

Research paper thumbnail of Resting-state oscillatory dynamics in sensorimotor cortex in benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes and typical brain development

Human Brain Mapping, 2015

Benign Epilepsy with Centro-Temporal Spikes (BECTS) is a common childhood epilepsy associated wit... more Benign Epilepsy with Centro-Temporal Spikes (BECTS) is a common childhood epilepsy associated with deficits in several neurocognitive domains. Neurophysiological studies in BECTS often focus on centro-temporal spikes, but these correlate poorly with morphology and cognitive impairments. To better understand the neural profile of BECTS, we studied background brain oscillations, thought to be integrally involved in neural network communication, in sensorimotor areas. We used independent component analysis of temporally correlated sources on magnetoencephalography recordings to assess sensorimotor resting-state network activity in BECTS patients and typically developing controls. We also investigated the variability of oscillatory characteristics within focal primary motor cortex (M1), localized with a separate finger abduction task. We hypothesized that background oscillations would differ between patients and controls in the sensorimotor network but not elsewhere, especially in the beta band (13-30 Hz) because of its role in network communication and motor processing. The results support our hypothesis: in the sensorimotor network, patients had a greater variability in oscillatory amplitude compared to controls, whereas there was no difference in the visual network. Network measures did not correlate with age. The coefficient of variation of resting M1 peak frequency correlated negatively with age in the beta band only, and was greater than average for a number of patients. Our results point toward a "disorganized" functional sensorimotor network in BECTS, supporting a neurodevelopmental delay in sensorimotor cortex. Our findings fur-Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.

Research paper thumbnail of International clinical practice recommendations on the definition, diagnosis, assessment, intervention, and psychosocial aspects of developmental coordination disorder

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftl... more Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften), past chair Guidelines International Network (G-IN). DURATION OF THE VALIDITY These international clinical practice recommendations were written and received consent in 2017. They are valid until the next revision, at the latest until 31st December 2022. A revision is planned about every 5 years by the international representative group. If new knowledge or experience has considerable influence on the current recommendations, the representative group will quickly disseminate the latest information.

Research paper thumbnail of Attention-deficit hyperactivity and developmental coordination disorders: knowledge and practice among child and adolescent psychiatrists and paediatricians

Psychiatric Bulletin, 2007

Despite extensive evidence that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental... more Despite extensive evidence that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental coordination disorder commonly present as overlapping disorders, it is not clear whether clinicians routinely enquire about movement difficulties when assessing ...

Research paper thumbnail of Gender and age differences in the presentation of at-risk or probable Developmental Coordination Disorder in adults

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Research paper thumbnail of Fast Facts: Specific Learning Difficulties

Research paper thumbnail of Why Do We Find it so Hard to Calculate the Burden of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Journal of Childhood & Developmental Disorders

Context: Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) comprise a spectrum of prevalent disorders affecting... more Context: Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) comprise a spectrum of prevalent disorders affecting social, communication, activity, attention, motor coordination and literacy and numeracy skills. NDDs are highly heritable, frequently co-occur, predominantly persist throughout life and are commonly associated with adverse psychological and psychosocial outcomes for both the individual and their family. However, these features of NDDs are rarely acknowledged or considered within research (including burden-of-illness studies) or by healthcare and educational professionals. Review: We summarise up-to-date UK and USA prevalence information and compare the relative co-occurrence rates both among NDDs and between NDDs and other psychiatric and medical conditions. We then catalogue the known psychosocial outcomes for individuals with NDDs, their parents and siblings and their children, including considering the heritability of NDDs. We also discuss population groups where NDDs are currently under-diagnosed and consider cases where NDDs may be mis-diagnosed. Conclusions & Recommendations: We offer suggestions to advance our knowledge of the burden of NDDs and shape the future research agenda to develop interventions, management plans and policies to address the burden. This is of vital importance to ensure individuals with NDDs and their families receive the best possible care.

Research paper thumbnail of Developmental coordination disorder in UK children aged 6–18 years: Estimating the cost

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Research paper thumbnail of Addressing the Inverse Care Law in Developmental Coordination Disorder and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Current Developmental Disorders Reports

Research paper thumbnail of Does visual perceptual testing correlate with caregiver and teacher reported functional visual skill difficulties in school-aged children?

Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose As occupational therapists embrace evidence-informed and occupation-centred practice, the... more Purpose As occupational therapists embrace evidence-informed and occupation-centred practice, the use of standardised visual perceptual tests remains a strong feature of typical paediatric practice. Yet, the research evidence for the use of such tools is inconclusive at best. This study compared the results of the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS) with a checklist of reported functional difficulties in 30 children attending occupational therapy. The purpose of this paper was to determine the usefulness of visual perceptual testing in relation to occupation-centred practice. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive correlational study design was used. Participants were 30 primary school-age children who were on a paediatric occupational therapy caseload. An additional 30 typically developing children participated in the development of the checklist. Findings Correlations were found between reported functional visual skill difficulties and two subtests of the TVPS (visual memor...

Research paper thumbnail of Developmental coordination disorder: the impact on the family

Research paper thumbnail of Should Children with ADHD be Routinely Screened for Motor Coordination Problems? The Role of the Paediatric Occupational Therapist

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly comorbid with movement diff... more Abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly comorbid with movement difficulties, including developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Compartmentalised service provision may result in children with ADHD not being ...

Research paper thumbnail of Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) and developmental co-ordination disorder

Research paper thumbnail of Motor Profile of Students With Dyslexia

Journal of Psychology Research, 2014

In the presence of developmental dyslexia, there is high probability of motor difficulties being ... more In the presence of developmental dyslexia, there is high probability of motor difficulties being present as well purposes: The purposes of this study were to characterize and compare the motor performance of students with dyslexia with students with good academic performance and to identify the presence of the DCD (developmental coordination disorder) co-occurring with developmental dyslexia. A total of 79 students participated in the research, both genders, from 8 to 11 years old, from 3rd to 5th grades, and were divided into Group I: 19 students with developmental dyslexia and Group II: 60 students with good academic performance. All the students were assessed using "The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency" (second edition), to measure the motor skills and the pattern and differences between groups. The results of this study showed that the motor performance of Group II students was superior to the performance of students of Group I in almost all motor areas assessed but both groups performed less well than they should have for their chronological age. The results of this study indicate that occupational therapists, speech therapists and educators need to be aware of the presence of motor impairments and the need for early intervention in both the academic and clinical environments, in order to ensure that early identification and diagnosis of possible co-occurrences, such as DCD, and the impact on learning to guarantee more appropriate clinical and educational assistance for this population. This may also indicate that increased exposure to movement may be important to limit some of the secondary health consequences in children in Brazil.

Research paper thumbnail of Supporting students with Specific Learning Difficulties in Higher Education: a preliminary comparative study of Executive Function skills

With increasing numbers of students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) arriving at unive... more With increasing numbers of students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) arriving at university, it is important to understand how to provide effective support. Individual profiles of impairment for those with a diagnosis of one or more SpLDs were compared to those with no diagnosis using a questionnaire specifically developed to assess patterns of behaviour related to executive functioning skills in students. These data suggest that students with a diagnosis of an SpLD and some without a diagnosis reported significantly more difficulties across all executive function domains measured. Additionally, the level of impairment between the diagnostic groups differed (a) depending on the domain being considered and (b) by having more than one diagnosis. The questionnaire developed for the study could be used by support services and tutors to identify individual strengths and weaknesses and ensure that students are supported during their academic studies regardless of whether they have a formal diagnosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Children with developmental coordination disorders

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Apr 1, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of The Relationships between Self-Reported Motor Functioning and Autistic Traits: The Italian Version of the Adult Developmental Coordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist (ADC)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Background: We developed the Italian version of the adult developmental co-ordination disorders/d... more Background: We developed the Italian version of the adult developmental co-ordination disorders/dyspraxia checklist (ADC), providing reliability and concurrent validity data for the scale (Aim 1). In addition, we investigated the relationships between motor coordination difficulties and different autistic traits (Aim 2). Methods: 498 participants (341 females; age range = 18–34) underwent the Italian version of the ADC, as well as a handwriting speed test, the autism spectrum quotient, the empathy quotient, and the systemizing quotient. Results: The distinction between three main factors (A, B, and C) identified in the original version of the ADC was confirmed here. Internal consistency of the ADC subscales was adequate, as well as the correlation with the handwriting speed test used to assess concurrent validity. No substantial sex differences on the ADC scores were found. Furthermore, data revealed that poor autistic-related communication skills and lower levels of systemizing ten...

Research paper thumbnail of Children with Developmental Co-ordination Disorder: A Qualitative Study of Parents' Descriptions

Advances in Physiotherapy, 2001

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Beighton Score: A Valid Measure for Generalized Hypermobility in Children

The Journal of Pediatrics, 2011

Objective To evaluate the validity of the Beighton score as a generalized measure of hypermobilit... more Objective To evaluate the validity of the Beighton score as a generalized measure of hypermobility and to measure the prevalence of hypermobility and pain in a random population of school age children. Study design Prospective study of 551 children attending various Dutch elementary schools participated; 47% were males (258) and 53% (293) females, age range was 6 to 12 years. Children's joints and movements were assessed according to the Beighton score by qualified physiotherapists and by use of goniometry measuring 16 passive ranges of motion of joints on both sides of the body. Results More than 35% of children scored more than 5/9 on the Beighton score. Children who scored high on the Beighton score also showed increased range of motion in the other joints measured. Moreover 12.3% of children had symptoms of joint pain, and 9.1% complained of pain after exercise or sports. Importantly, this percentage was independent of the Beighton score. There were no significant differences in Beighton score for sex in this population.

Research paper thumbnail of Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of individuals with neurofibromatosis 1

Journal of Medical Genetics, 2006

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common neurocutaneous condition with an autosomal dominant pattern... more Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common neurocutaneous condition with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. The complications are diverse and disease expression varies, even within families. Progress in molecular biology and neuroimaging and the development of mouse models have helped to elucidate the aetiology of NF1 and its clinical manifestations. Furthermore, these advances have raised the prospect of therapeutic intervention for this complex and distressing disease. Members of the United Kingdom Neurofibromatosis Association Clinical Advisory Board collaborated to produce a consensus statement on the current guidelines for diagnosis and management of NF1. The proposals are based on published clinical studies and on the pooled knowledge of experts in neurofibromatosis with experience of providing multidisciplinary clinical and molecular services for NF1 patients. The consensus statement discusses the diagnostic criteria, major differential diagnoses, clinical manifestations and the present strategies for monitoring and management of NF1 complications.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnosing developmental coordination disorders

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2013

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects around 5% of children and commonly overlaps wit... more Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects around 5% of children and commonly overlaps with other developmental disorders including: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and specific language impairment (SLI). There is evidence to demonstrate the wide-ranging impact on all areas of functioning including psychiatric and learning domains. There is increasing evidence of the continuing impact into adulthood and the long-term negative effects on relationships and employment. There is a need for early identification and intervention to limit the likelihood of these secondary consequences from emerging. This paper addresses the diagnosis of DCD.

Research paper thumbnail of Resting-state oscillatory dynamics in sensorimotor cortex in benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes and typical brain development

Human Brain Mapping, 2015

Benign Epilepsy with Centro-Temporal Spikes (BECTS) is a common childhood epilepsy associated wit... more Benign Epilepsy with Centro-Temporal Spikes (BECTS) is a common childhood epilepsy associated with deficits in several neurocognitive domains. Neurophysiological studies in BECTS often focus on centro-temporal spikes, but these correlate poorly with morphology and cognitive impairments. To better understand the neural profile of BECTS, we studied background brain oscillations, thought to be integrally involved in neural network communication, in sensorimotor areas. We used independent component analysis of temporally correlated sources on magnetoencephalography recordings to assess sensorimotor resting-state network activity in BECTS patients and typically developing controls. We also investigated the variability of oscillatory characteristics within focal primary motor cortex (M1), localized with a separate finger abduction task. We hypothesized that background oscillations would differ between patients and controls in the sensorimotor network but not elsewhere, especially in the beta band (13-30 Hz) because of its role in network communication and motor processing. The results support our hypothesis: in the sensorimotor network, patients had a greater variability in oscillatory amplitude compared to controls, whereas there was no difference in the visual network. Network measures did not correlate with age. The coefficient of variation of resting M1 peak frequency correlated negatively with age in the beta band only, and was greater than average for a number of patients. Our results point toward a "disorganized" functional sensorimotor network in BECTS, supporting a neurodevelopmental delay in sensorimotor cortex. Our findings fur-Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.

Research paper thumbnail of International clinical practice recommendations on the definition, diagnosis, assessment, intervention, and psychosocial aspects of developmental coordination disorder

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftl... more Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften), past chair Guidelines International Network (G-IN). DURATION OF THE VALIDITY These international clinical practice recommendations were written and received consent in 2017. They are valid until the next revision, at the latest until 31st December 2022. A revision is planned about every 5 years by the international representative group. If new knowledge or experience has considerable influence on the current recommendations, the representative group will quickly disseminate the latest information.

Research paper thumbnail of Attention-deficit hyperactivity and developmental coordination disorders: knowledge and practice among child and adolescent psychiatrists and paediatricians

Psychiatric Bulletin, 2007

Despite extensive evidence that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental... more Despite extensive evidence that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental coordination disorder commonly present as overlapping disorders, it is not clear whether clinicians routinely enquire about movement difficulties when assessing ...

Research paper thumbnail of Gender and age differences in the presentation of at-risk or probable Developmental Coordination Disorder in adults

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Research paper thumbnail of Fast Facts: Specific Learning Difficulties

Research paper thumbnail of Why Do We Find it so Hard to Calculate the Burden of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Journal of Childhood & Developmental Disorders

Context: Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) comprise a spectrum of prevalent disorders affecting... more Context: Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) comprise a spectrum of prevalent disorders affecting social, communication, activity, attention, motor coordination and literacy and numeracy skills. NDDs are highly heritable, frequently co-occur, predominantly persist throughout life and are commonly associated with adverse psychological and psychosocial outcomes for both the individual and their family. However, these features of NDDs are rarely acknowledged or considered within research (including burden-of-illness studies) or by healthcare and educational professionals. Review: We summarise up-to-date UK and USA prevalence information and compare the relative co-occurrence rates both among NDDs and between NDDs and other psychiatric and medical conditions. We then catalogue the known psychosocial outcomes for individuals with NDDs, their parents and siblings and their children, including considering the heritability of NDDs. We also discuss population groups where NDDs are currently under-diagnosed and consider cases where NDDs may be mis-diagnosed. Conclusions & Recommendations: We offer suggestions to advance our knowledge of the burden of NDDs and shape the future research agenda to develop interventions, management plans and policies to address the burden. This is of vital importance to ensure individuals with NDDs and their families receive the best possible care.

Research paper thumbnail of Developmental coordination disorder in UK children aged 6–18 years: Estimating the cost

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Research paper thumbnail of Addressing the Inverse Care Law in Developmental Coordination Disorder and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Current Developmental Disorders Reports

Research paper thumbnail of Does visual perceptual testing correlate with caregiver and teacher reported functional visual skill difficulties in school-aged children?

Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose As occupational therapists embrace evidence-informed and occupation-centred practice, the... more Purpose As occupational therapists embrace evidence-informed and occupation-centred practice, the use of standardised visual perceptual tests remains a strong feature of typical paediatric practice. Yet, the research evidence for the use of such tools is inconclusive at best. This study compared the results of the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS) with a checklist of reported functional difficulties in 30 children attending occupational therapy. The purpose of this paper was to determine the usefulness of visual perceptual testing in relation to occupation-centred practice. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive correlational study design was used. Participants were 30 primary school-age children who were on a paediatric occupational therapy caseload. An additional 30 typically developing children participated in the development of the checklist. Findings Correlations were found between reported functional visual skill difficulties and two subtests of the TVPS (visual memor...

Research paper thumbnail of Developmental coordination disorder: the impact on the family

Research paper thumbnail of Should Children with ADHD be Routinely Screened for Motor Coordination Problems? The Role of the Paediatric Occupational Therapist

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly comorbid with movement diff... more Abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly comorbid with movement difficulties, including developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Compartmentalised service provision may result in children with ADHD not being ...

Research paper thumbnail of Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) and developmental co-ordination disorder

Research paper thumbnail of Motor Profile of Students With Dyslexia

Journal of Psychology Research, 2014

In the presence of developmental dyslexia, there is high probability of motor difficulties being ... more In the presence of developmental dyslexia, there is high probability of motor difficulties being present as well purposes: The purposes of this study were to characterize and compare the motor performance of students with dyslexia with students with good academic performance and to identify the presence of the DCD (developmental coordination disorder) co-occurring with developmental dyslexia. A total of 79 students participated in the research, both genders, from 8 to 11 years old, from 3rd to 5th grades, and were divided into Group I: 19 students with developmental dyslexia and Group II: 60 students with good academic performance. All the students were assessed using "The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency" (second edition), to measure the motor skills and the pattern and differences between groups. The results of this study showed that the motor performance of Group II students was superior to the performance of students of Group I in almost all motor areas assessed but both groups performed less well than they should have for their chronological age. The results of this study indicate that occupational therapists, speech therapists and educators need to be aware of the presence of motor impairments and the need for early intervention in both the academic and clinical environments, in order to ensure that early identification and diagnosis of possible co-occurrences, such as DCD, and the impact on learning to guarantee more appropriate clinical and educational assistance for this population. This may also indicate that increased exposure to movement may be important to limit some of the secondary health consequences in children in Brazil.

Research paper thumbnail of Supporting students with Specific Learning Difficulties in Higher Education: a preliminary comparative study of Executive Function skills

With increasing numbers of students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) arriving at unive... more With increasing numbers of students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) arriving at university, it is important to understand how to provide effective support. Individual profiles of impairment for those with a diagnosis of one or more SpLDs were compared to those with no diagnosis using a questionnaire specifically developed to assess patterns of behaviour related to executive functioning skills in students. These data suggest that students with a diagnosis of an SpLD and some without a diagnosis reported significantly more difficulties across all executive function domains measured. Additionally, the level of impairment between the diagnostic groups differed (a) depending on the domain being considered and (b) by having more than one diagnosis. The questionnaire developed for the study could be used by support services and tutors to identify individual strengths and weaknesses and ensure that students are supported during their academic studies regardless of whether they have a formal diagnosis.