Evaluation of The Listening Program in Assessing Auditory Processing and Speech Skills in Children With Down Syndrome

Abstract

It is well documented that children with Down syndrome have difficulty with auditory processing and language development. This pilot study was undertaken to trial tests and questionnaires for suitability for use with the children to determine if any benefit could be established from the use of The Listening Training Program as a prelude to a more formal study. Nine children between the ages of 5 and 12 years took part acting as their own controls. They used The Listening Program over a 10-week period, and this involved each child listening to acoustically modified music, through headphones, for two 15-min sessions, 5 days a week, over 10 weeks. A battery of tests, recommended by specialists in speech and language and human communication, were performed before and after intervention, and questionnaires were completed at the end by parents and teachers involved. Because the children are educated in a variety of settings, main stream, special school, and part time in both, the testing took place on a Saturday and the children were drawn from the Down Support Group, Nottingham. Where possible, the Program was implemented in school, but where this was not possible, it was undertaken in the home setting.