Shelly Bower wrote:
>> I am hoping for some suggestions from you all
>> I have a son (age 3.5) that has a severe expressive/receptive
> communication disorder. As a brief history, when he turned two we
> took him to an audiologist because his speech was delayed and because
> he had very uneven reactions to sound. For example, a new soft noise
> behind him would cause him to turn around but a fire alarm going off
> wouldn't produce even a startle reaction. Anyway, based on a
> hearing exam the audiologist said he had at least a 40% hearing loss
> but given his age and the difficulties in doing the exam they sent us
> off to get a BAER test done. The brainstem response test showed
> normal hearing.
>> He is now 3.5 and his language has come a long way but its obvious at
> this point that auditory processing problems are hindering further
> gains. He can't differentiate between sentences like "How are you?"
> and "How old are you?". I know he knows his colors cold, but if
> asked out of the blue "what color is it?, he often can't answer , I
> don't think he can "decifer" the question. If I give the answer once
> and keep asking the same question about different objects in the room
> he'll get them all right...Is this making sense? His pediatrician has
> ruled out auditory processing delays because he can echo words or
> answer questions he knows immediately. However, I still feel there is
> a definitely something going on with the auditory process.
>> Here are the questions I have, answers to any of them would be greatly
> appreciated?
>> Can an auditory processing deficit be diagnosed from a test that
> doesn't rely on the patient having language or being able to respond
> to questions? Are there any other tests that I should consider having
> done?
>> I've heard about a Doctor named Gerry Stefanatos (at Jefferson
> Hospital ?) that does something called an Evoked Potentials Test.
> Does anyone know what this is? Supposedly the BAER measyres fom the
> ear to the brainstem and this test measures from the brainstenm to the
> brain?
>> Has anyone heard the term "hearing dyslexic" and what is it? Are there
> treatments for it.
>> Assuming I can get a diagnosis of auditory processing deficit....how
> does it help? Are there treatments (drug or otherwise)? Other than
> speech therapy, no one seems to have any ideas or even much of a
> prognosis.
>> Has anyone researched the idea that smart drugs (like Piracetam) can
> improve auditory processing. Are these drugs safe with kids?
>> I'm dying to help my little guy and can't shake the feeling that if I
> could improve his auditory processing that his language learning
> diffculties would be reduced. Any ideas? Web sites? New research?
>> Shelly
Shelly,
Yes, there are evoked potential evaluations which can aid in the
assessment of central auditory processing disorders (CAPD). The Middle
Latency Response (MLR) is currently receiving a great amount of
attention for diagnosing CAPD. Another type of evoked potential which
may be used is the P300, which is a late potential.
Ken
kbodkin at qed.net
