Language and Auditory Processing Changes Following Fast ForWord

Abstract

This study examined changes in performance of 8 Australian children with language impairments of varying severity and presentation and/or auditory processing difficulties on standardised measures of language and auditory processing pre- and post-Fast ForWord (FFWD) training. In addition, performance changes on four measures of auditory processing were tracked using a single-subject ABA design. Increases in receptive and expressive language scores were observed. All participants showed at least one area of improvement on standardised tests of auditory discrimination for speech. Of those who produced interpretable results on standardised tests of shortterm auditory memory, 1 participant in 6 improved on Digit Span and 3 in 7 showed variable improvement on Memory for Sentences. Over half of the auditory processing gains remained evident after four weeks. One third of these gains were evident after 12 months. Characteristics of individual participants partially contributed to the identification of patterns of performance in the area of language. The findings are discussed in light of extraneous influences and recommendations for future research are offered.