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| The Relationship of Learning, Attention Deficits & Auditory Processing Disorders |
| Current Study |
| Posted by gwdadmin |
2001-00-01 |
Index
» Dr. Kim Tillery
» Current Study
Current Study
Clinicians and researchers recognize the similarity of behaviors of auditory processing disorders (APD), Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Keller, 1998). Investigators have ascertained the co-morbidity of ADHD and APD (Tillery et al., 2000; Riccio, Hynd, Cohen and Molt, 1996), however, no known reports have researched the relationship of APD and NLD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the type(s) of APD among those with NLD.
Participants (7 to 19 years) who have been previously diagnosed with NLD will receive a comprehensive APD evaluation to ascertain if they also manifest APD. All participants will receive the APD test battery at a morning session to control for fatigue and attention. Currently, 25 participants have completed this study. Preliminary reports indicate that 40% are found to exhibit an APD, particularly in the TFM area of APD. Statistical analyses will compare the psychological test results between the two groups of participants: those with APD and those without. Possibly, a psychological profile may exist that would alert the psychologist as to the possibility of an overlap of APD and NLD, thus suggesting that the child be referred for APD assessment.
Clinical Implications
A diagnosis of ADHD places the child at risk (50-80%) for APD (Tillery et al., 2000), particularly two specific types of CAPD: Tolerance-Fading Memory (TFM) and Organization types of CAPD. Preliminary reports of this current study find about 40% of those with NLD will also exhibit APD, in the TFM category. Individuals with TFM often display weak expressive language and reading comprehension abilities, require repetition with directions, and may show more difficulty in remembering the initial instruction verses the final instruction. Those with the Organization category display more reversals than usual. These reversals may be seen during test taking and in their academic performance, and may be related to an attention or learning disorder, rather than APD (Tillery, 1999).
When audiologists diagnose these specific subtypes of APD, the possibility of ADHD or NLD exists and considerations should be given to referring to psychologists with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of attention and learning disorders. All that is poor listening is not always APD. By refining our assessments of these children we can then provide them with the most comprehensive and effective treatments for the range of difficulties they present.
References
Barkley, R. A. (1990). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: Guiliford Press.
Katz, J. and Smith, P. (1991). A ten-minute look at the CNS through the ears: Using the SSW test. In R. Zappula at al. (Eds.), Windows on the Brain: Neuropsychologies technical frontiers. Ann NY Acad Science, 620, 233-251.
Keller, W. (1998). The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, central auditory processing disorders, and specific learning disorders. In G.
Masters, N. Stecker, and J. Katz (Eds.), Central Auditory Processing Disorders: Mostly Management (pp. 33-48). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Riccio, C. A., Hynd, G. W., Cohen, M. J. and Molt, L. (1996). The Staggered Spondaic Word Test: Performance of Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. American Journal of Audiology, 5: 55-62.
Tillery, K. L., Katz, J., and Keller, W. (2000). Effects of methylphenidate
(Ritalin TM) on auditory performance in children with attention and auditory processing disorders. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 43(4), 893-901.
Tillery, K. L. (1999). Reversals, Reversals, Reversals: Differentiating Information for CAPD, LD and ADHD. SSW Reports, 21(2), 1-6.
Dr. Tillery, Assistant Professor at SUNY College at Fredonia, has authored one chapter and co-authored four chapters regarding Auditory Processing Disorders (APDs) and the relationship of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD). Invited international, national and state presentations include her published research regarding 1) Ritalin’s effects on APD, 2) APD therapeutic measures, and 3) the co-morbidity of attention and learning deficits with APD. Please direct questions or comments to Kim L. Tillery, Ph.D, CCC-A [email protected]
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Dr. Kim Tillery
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