Web-based diagnosis and therapy of auditory prerequisites for reading and spelling

Abstract

Cognitive deficits in auditory or visual processing or in verbal short-term-memory are amongst others risk factors for the development of dyslexia (reading and spelling disability). By early identification and intervention (optimally before school entry), detrimental effects of these cognitive deficits on reading and spelling might be prevented. The goal of the CASPAR-project is to develop and evaluate web-based tools for diagnosis and therapy of cognitive prerequisites for reading and spelling, which are appropriate for kindergarten children. In the first approach CASPAR addresses auditory processing disorders. This article describes a computerized and web-based approach for screening and testing phoneme discrimination and for promoting phoneme discrimination abilities through interactive games in kindergarteners.

Keywords

• dyslexia
• auditory processing disorders
• learning disorders
• preschool child
• distance learning
• computer-assisted instruction
• online-therapy
• multimedia