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Research on APD

NEW RESEARCH: Auditory Processing Disorders in children suspected of Learning Disabilities-A need for screening?

Our students who use Fast ForWord have seen improvements in listening and auditory processing-types of skills (whether formal APD testing was completed or not). Here is an interesting insight into the condition.

Dora Eva Bamiou has done some research with Frank Musiek and this is a fascinating article.


Auditory Processing Disorders in children suspected of Learning Disabilities—A need for screening?
Vassiliki Iliadou, Doris-Eva Bamiou, Stergios Kaprinis, Dimitris Kandylis and George Kaprinis

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Available online 7 May 2009.

Aim
The current study aims to assess: (a) the prevalence of auditory processing in a population of children reporting learning difficulties, (b) the correlation of APD diagnosis with age, the intelligence coefficient (IQ) and with the presence of a specific learning disability such as dyslexia and (c) to evaluate the reliability of each auditory processing test used in this study in identifying APD.

Method
We evaluated one hundred and twenty-seven consecutive children referred to the academic tertiary LD Clinic of the Psychiatric Department by means of a psychoacoustic mainly non–verbal test battery.

Results
APD was found to be present in 43.3% and co-existing with developmental dyslexia in 25% of cases. The diagnosis of APD correlated with age in that children with APD were younger by 2 years than those without a diagnosis of APD. The diagnosis of APD did not correlate with IQ or with the diagnosis of dyslexia.

Interpretation
High prevalence of APD in the targeted group of children suspected of Learning Disabilities sets the grounds for a possible benefit in screening for the disorder.


This posting originally appeared on SpellTalk, a free online discussion group for educators dedicated to improving spelling and word study skills. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or manage other options, please visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/spelltalk


Fast ForWord, an audiologist's view

Endorsement of the Language products

Fast ForWord was designed to facilitate the development of a child's language skills. It is based on the premise that the language delays and auditory perceptual disabilities of many children stem from a slower rate of processing. When children process information at a slower rate they will miss certain acoustic cues and on a micro level, may mishear individual words and confuse/interchange sounds within words. On a more global level these children may experience difficulty in many areas of receptive and/or expressive language i.e. reduced vocabulary, difficulty remembering and/or sequencing information as well as in reading and reading comprehension. Continued

The Importance of Auditory Processing and Automaticity

Sound discrimination and auditory processing skills are essential to improve the clarity and breadth of the phonological vocabulary. This opens the door to automaticity in reading and to more effective learning. Enthusiasm for learning is inextricably tied to the daily educational experience. If your child is not reading easily, school is already or will become trying. The boost in foundational learning skills that Fast ForWord achieves can make the school day more manageable by reducing frustration and building confidence. This improves the likelihood of a positive effort every day leading to a more productive educational career.

Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Processing Disorder (or Central Auditory Processing Disorder/ CAPD)

Auditory Processing is basically the role the brain plays in the hearing process which ultimately enables us to develop learning skills. In order to help children to overcome any CAPD issues we focus on developing their cognitive processes. This ensures the breakthrough that gives long lasting improvements of language, reading and learning skills.

It is not a very well known aspect of learning difficulties in Europe. In the USA there is more awareness. Fast ForWord works on auditory processing very successfully.

Send me an email and I will forward you a copy of our report on Auditory Processing.

I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.