Assement of auditory processing in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and language-based learning impairments

Abstract

The purposes of this report are to provide information about two tests of central auditory processing disorders: competing sentence tests, and a test of temporal processing disorders called the Auditory Fusion Test-Revised (AFT-R) and to show results of these tests on two patients populations. Auditory fusion thresholds and competing sentence test scores of 18 children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and 17 children with Language-based Learning Impairment (LLI) were investigated using the AFT-R and competing sentence test (CST). Findings were compared to previously published normative values. There was a significantly different auditory fusion threshold between groups, with ADHD children scoring poorer than children with LLI and normal children. Children with ADHD had a higher mean (poorer results) and larger standard deviation of auditory fusion thresholds than found in children who were normal and those with LLI. No significan difference was found between the two groups (ADHD and LLI) on both the right competing (CST-R) and left competing sentences (CST-L). There was a significant difference of performance between the normal children and the ADHD children and LLI children on both the CST-R and CST-L. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.