Hanan Galal Azouz
Alexandria University, Egypt
Title: The correlation between central auditory processing in autistic children and their language processing abilities
Biography
Biography: Hanan Galal Azouz
Abstract
Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a behavioral phenotype that includes qualitative impairment in the areas of language development or communication skills, social interactions and reciprocity, and restricted repetitive behavior. Normal function of the auditory sensory organs and the central auditory pathways is a prerequisite for the normal development of language. In autism, deficits in language, particularly delays in language acquisition, are the principal early manifestation of the disorder. The range of language abilities varies from total muteness to the use of an apparent grammatically complex language. The auditory profile at different levels of the auditory system in children with ASD and the role of (Central) auditory processing (CAP) disorder as an essential pathology of the autistic disorder or as an associated co-morbidity was studied on thirty children, as well as the correlation between CAP findings and the language delay in these cases. 40% of the children with ASD were hyper-responsive to auditory stimuli according to the Sensory checklist for auditory skills. ABR showed interpeak latencies (IPLs) I–V and III–V of both ears were significantly prolonged in the ASD group in addition to absolute latency of wave I of the left ear and absolute latency of wave V in right ear were significantly prolonged in the ASD group. The results concluded that (central) auditory processing disorder is an essential pathology of the autistic disorder. Autistic children possess a dysfunctioning or an immature central auditory nervous system at both the brainstem and cortical levels.