INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY FIELD

Abstract: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are associated with challenges in cognition, behaviour, social interaction, communication, and adaptive functioning, which can significantly impact children's independence and participation in daily life. Cognitive rehabilitation has emerged as an effective approach for enhancing attention, working memory, executive functioning, metacognition, problem-solving skills, and social understanding. This review examines the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation and related cognitive-developmental interventions in improving adaptive behaviour among children with NDDs. It considers evidence from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses concerning conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), global developmental delay, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Ahn and Hwang (2018) reported a moderate and statistically significant effect of cognitive interventions on adaptive behaviour across six controlled trials involving 544 children. Klingberg et al. (2005) demonstrated improvements in working memory among children with ADHD, although subsequent evidence indicated a limited impact on broader functional outcomes. Dawson et al. (2010) observed improvements in cognitive and adaptive development in young children with ASD following the 'Early Start Denver Model' intervention. Bombonato et al. (2023/2024) reported a significant 'far-transfer effect' on activities of daily living, whereas Faja et al. (2022) demonstrated that cognitive changes do not necessarily translate into improvements in daily functioning. Sadozai et al. (2024) confirmed the presence of executive function deficits in NDDs. Recent evidence from Lin et al. (2025) and Fan et al. (2026) indicates improvements in certain cognitive abilities; however, the application of these gains to real-life situations (ecological transfer) remains a challenge. Overall, cognitive rehabilitation appears most effective when it is individualized, functionally relevant, family-centred, and integrated across home, school, and community settings. Future research should prioritize adaptive behaviour, participation, and long-term outcomes.