COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AT PRESCHOOL‐AGE OF INFANTS OF DRUG‐DEPENDENT MOTHERS

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Abstract
A prospective longitudinal study on the development of children of drug-dependent mothers who used combinations of cocaine, heroin and methadone during pregnancy was carried out in Amsterdam. The children and a contrast reference group were followed from birth to the age of 5½ years. Cognitive functioning was assessed at 3½, four, 4½ and 5½ years. The children of drug-dependent mothers repeatedly showed delays in cognitive functioning at preschool-age. Individual difficulties, as well as differences in developmental patterns over time, were found most clearly when facets of language development formed part of the assessments. Intervention programmes should focus on improvements of early language development and communication, in addition to the children's ability to adapt lo task situations.

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