Biological changes in auditory function following training in children with autism spectrum disorders

TLDR

Children with ASD often exhibit auditory processing deficits linked to language impairment. The study aimed to determine whether Fast ForWord Language training could improve auditory processing in these children. The authors measured brainstem and cortical speech‑evoked responses in quiet and noise from five ASD children after completing Fast ForWord training. Training produced changes in brainstem response timing in three children, pitch‑tracking in one, and cortical response timing in all five, demonstrating objective benefits.

Abstract

Abstract Background Children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), such as children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), often show auditory processing deficits related to their overarching language impairment. Auditory training programs such as Fast ForWord Language may potentially alleviate these deficits through training-induced improvements in auditory processing. Methods To assess the impact of auditory training on auditory function in children with ASD, brainstem and cortical responses to speech sounds presented in quiet and noise were collected from five children with ASD who completed Fast ForWord training. Results Relative to six control children with ASD who did not complete Fast ForWord, training-related changes were found in brainstem response timing (three children) and pitch-tracking (one child), and cortical response timing (all five children) after Fast ForWord use. Conclusions These results provide an objective indication of the benefit of training on auditory function for some children with ASD.