Design and evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation program on the neuropsychological profile of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

Fathipoor, Somaiyeh; Rezayi, Saeed; Sharifi Daramadi, Parviz; Nikkhoo, Fatemeh

doi:10.22111/jeps.2026.57545.6419

Design and evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation program on the neuropsychological profile of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

Document Type : Scientific Articles

Authors

¹ Allme Tabatabei University

² Allameh Tabataba'i University

10.22111/jeps.2026.57545.6419

Abstract

The present study aimed to design, validate, and evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation program on the neuropsychological profile of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFA). The study was conducted in two sequential phases: first, following a comprehensive theoretical review, the intervention protocol was developed and validated for content (qualitative and quantitative) and face validity by 12 experts in special education and psychology; second, a single-case experimental design utilizing a non-concurrent multiple baseline across subjects with a stepped timeline was implemented. The target population comprised children with HFA referred to the Aseman Dovom April Center in Tehran in 2025, from which three participants (two boys and one girl) were selected via purposive sampling. The Coolidge Personality and Neuropsychological Questionnaire (CPNI) served as the assessment tool administered across baseline, intervention (10 sessions of 90 minutes each), and three follow-up intervals (20, 40, and 60 days). The findings revealed that the developed program possesses high empirical validity and produced significant, stable enhancements across core neuropsychological components, specifically visual attention, language skills, response inhibition, working memory, learning, and general cognition. Consequently, computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation—leveraging structured tasks, immediate performance feedback, and neuroplastic adaptations—serves as a robust intervention for balancing cognitive profiles and can be reliably integrated as a complementary treatment modality within educational and clinical rehabilitation settings.

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