Processing in Children with Specific Learning Disorder, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, and Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Given the problems faced by children with neurodevelopmental disorders in sensory processing; the aim of this study is to compare visual-spatial and auditory temporal processing in children with special learning disorders, nonverbal learning disorders, and attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder. The research method is Exe-Post Facto and its statistical population included girls and boys aged 9 to 12 years who were referred to the Child Psychiatry Center, Learning Disabilities Centers, and primary schools in the academic year 1399-400 in Rasht. 79 of these children were divided into three groups of specific learning disorders with dyslexia, nonverbal learning disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder by convenience sampling. Data were collected using, the Test of Visual-Perceptual Skills, (non-motor)-Revised (Gardner, 1996), Auditory Perception Test (Allen& Serwatka, 1994), and Auditory Problems checklist (Fisher, 1996). Research data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis of variance. The results show that children with a nonverbal learning disorder in all components of visual, and auditory processing components had lower performance than the other two groups. Children with dyslexia also achieved in the component (rotation and inversion) of visual processing and the component (duration) of auditory processing. Based on results and the existence of more deficiencies in children with a nonverbal learning disorder in sensory processing skills (visual and auditory) it is necessary to pay more attention to the signs and symptoms of this disorder in education to reduce the problems of these children by early interventions.

Keywords

• attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder
• auditory temporal processing
• nonverbal learning disorder
• specific learning disorder
• visual-spatial processing