The CHAPS, SIFTER, and TAPS-R as predictors of (C)AP skills and (C)APD

In this study, the authors investigated the relationships between 3 tests used to screen for (central) auditory processing disorder ([C]APD)--the Children's Auditory Performance Scale (CHAPS; W. J. Smoski, M. A. Brunt, & J. C. Tannahill, 1998), the Screening Instrument for Targeting Educational Risk (SIFTER; K. Anderson, 1989), and the Test of Auditory Perceptual Skills--Revised (TAPS-R; M. Y. Gardner, 1997)-and 4 tests used to diagnostically assess for (C)APD: Low-Pass Filtered Speech (LPFS), Competing Sentences (CS), Two-Pair Dichotic Digits (DD), and Frequency Patterns With Linguistic Report (FP).

The screening and diagnostic (C)APD tests results of 104 children (71 boys, 33 girls) aged 6.9-14.3 years were reviewed following their attendance at a university clinic in Brisbane, Australia.

Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient analysis showed weak (r = .22, p < .05) to moderate (r = .47, p < .01) correlations predominantly between the short-term and working memory test results of the TAPS-R and the DD and FP test results of the (C)AP test battery. Linear and binary logistic regression analyses showed a poor ability of the CHAPS, SIFTER, and TAPS-R test results to predict the individual LPFS, CS, DD, or FP test results or the overall risk for (C)APD.

The CHAPS, SIFTER, and TAPS-R should be used to highlight concerns about a child but not to determine whether a diagnostic (C)AP assessment is particularly warranted.