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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Biological changes in auditory function following training in children with autism spectrum disorders
Nicole M Russo1, Jane Hornickel, Trent Nicol
1Auditory Neuroscience Lab, Department of Communication Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
Behavioral and Brain Functions : BBF
|October 19, 2010
Summary
Auditory training may improve auditory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Fast ForWord training showed positive changes in brainstem and cortical responses in children with ASD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
Background:
- Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit auditory processing deficits linked to language impairments.
- Auditory training programs, like Fast ForWord Language, may enhance auditory processing skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of auditory training on auditory function in children with ASD.
- To assess changes in brainstem and cortical responses to speech sounds after Fast ForWord intervention.
Main Methods:
- Brainstem and cortical auditory evoked potentials were recorded in children with ASD.
- Participants included five children with ASD who completed Fast ForWord training and six control children with ASD.
Main Results:
- Children who completed Fast ForWord showed improvements in cortical response timing.
- Some participants demonstrated changes in brainstem response timing and pitch-tracking abilities.
Conclusions:
- Fast ForWord training offers objective evidence of auditory function benefits for some children with ASD.
- Auditory training can positively impact neural processing of speech sounds in children with ASD.
