A South African Perspective on Cognitive Control Therapy for Learning-Disabled Children

Cognitive control therapy integrates psychodynamic principles and cognitive restructuring, addressing cognition and affect simultaneously. In pilot studies to evaluate the usefulness of cognitive control therapy for learning-disabled children and adolescents in the South African context, two experimental groups received therapy for a certain period of time while the two control groups did not receive therapy but continued with remedial programmes. Results of re-evaluation indicated improved selective attention, social interaction, academic performance and metacognitive insight into own abilities for the experimental groups.