Auditory processing skills in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

This study investigated the auditory processing skills of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when compared to the performance of Typically Developing (TD) children aged between the ages of 7;00 to 9;11. Direct and indirect assessments were used on the clinical group while the respective caregivers completed the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Test (ADHDT), Children's Auditory Processing Performance Scale (CHAPPS) and Questionnaire of (Central) Auditory Processing (QCAP). The methodology adopted was a quantitative one in which bivariate and multivariate statistics identified relationships between the two data sets, through use of parametric and non-parametric tests. The assessments were administered to a total of 30 children with ADHD. The performance on the psychometric assessment proved significant on 9 tasks from a total of 12. Children with ADHD encountered difficulties in auditory processing skills vis-à-vis the TD group. The parent ratings revealed that children with ADHD have listening behaviour difficulties that were significant throughout a number of statements from the questionnaires. The parent‟s perceptions revealed characteristics which indicate difficulties in a number of listening situations. Analysis of age and gender variables did not indicate a change in parents‟ rating throughout the analysis on the ADHDT and CHAPPS questionnaires. ADHD characteristics and listening behaviour measures from ADHDT and CHAPPS were also tested for correlations using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient to identify any relationship. The positive correlations found revealed an association on all subtests of both respective questionnaires. The results were discussed in the light of previous studies on auditory processing abilities in children having ADHD.