Auditory Characteristics of Children with Autism

Tharpe, Anne Marie; Bess, Fred H.; Sladen, Douglas P.; Schissel, Holly; Couch, Steve; Schery, Teris K.

doi:10.1097/01.aud.0000224981.60575.d8

Cited by 121 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Pure tone thresholds were atypical in half of their subjects, yet this difference was not corroborated by click-or tone-evoked auditory brainstem response recordings. Although Tharpe et al (2006) did not find brainstem deficits, other studies of brainstem integrity have identified aberrant function (McClelland et al 1992;Klin 1993;Maziade et al 2000;Rapin and Dunn 2003;Rosenhall et al 2003;Russo et al 2008 in press). In one study investigating brainstem transcription of F 0 contour in speech in children with ASD, deficient pitch tracking was identified in only a subset of those children, while brainstem function was normal in the other children with ASD (Russo et al 2008 in press).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…In contrast, Gravel et al (2006) showed no behavioral differences in the peripheral auditory system in high-functioning children with autism. Tharpe et al (2006) evaluated both peripheral audiometry and brainstem function in children with autism. Pure tone thresholds were atypical in half of their subjects, yet this difference was not corroborated by click-or tone-evoked auditory brainstem response recordings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Audio–vocal system regulation in children with autism spectrum disorders

2008

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Do children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) respond similarly to perturbations in auditory feedback as typically developing (TD) children? Presentation of pitch-shifted voice auditory feedback to vocalizing participants reveals a close coupling between the processing of auditory feedback and vocal motor control. This paradigm was used to test the hypothesis that abnormalities in the audio-vocal system would negatively impact ASD compensatory responses to perturbed auditory feedback. Voice fundamental frequency (F 0 ) was measured while children produced an /a/ sound into a microphone. The voice signal was fed back to the subjects in real time through headphones. During production, the feedback was pitch shifted (-100 cents, 200 ms) at random intervals for 80 trials. Averaged voice F 0 responses to pitch-shifted stimuli were calculated and correlated with both mental and language abilities as tested via standardized tests. A subset of children with ASD produced larger responses to perturbed auditory feedback than TD children, while the other children with ASD produced significantly lower response magnitudes. Furthermore, robust relationships between language ability, response magnitude and time of peak magnitude were identified. Because auditory feedback helps to stabilize voice F 0 (a major acoustic cue of prosody) and individuals with ASD have problems with prosody, this study identified potential mechanisms of dysfunction in the audio-vocal system for voice pitch regulation in some children with ASD. Objectively quantifying this deficit may inform both the assessment of a subgroup of ASD children with prosody deficits, as well as remediation strategies that incorporate pitch training.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Audio–vocal system regulation in children with autism spectrum disorders

2008

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“…Increased loudness perception of pure tone intensity in children and adolescents with autism, demonstrating the existence of hyperacusis in autism, was reported Khalfa et al [16]. Tharpe et al [17] described auditory characteristics in 22 autistic children and 22 of their typically developing peers. The audiologic test battery consisted of behavioral measures (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Children with autism demonstrated essentially equivalent results on a battery of physiological auditory tests as those obtained from typically developing children. However, on average, behavioral responses of children with autism were elevated and less reliable relative to those of typically developing children [17]. Jones et al [18] tested auditory discrimination ability in 72 adolescents with ASD (39 childhood autism; 33 other ASD) and 57 IQ and age-matched controls, assessing their capacity for successful discrimination of the frequency, intensity and duration differences in pairs of sounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Odor detection threshold, but not odor identification, is impaired in children with autism

Dudová

Vodička

Havlovičová

et al. 2011

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry

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Objective: The aim of our study was to examine odor detection thresholds and odor identification in autistic subjects. Methods:Thirty-five patients with Asperger"s syndrome and high functioning autism (mean age 10.8 ± 3.6 years; 31 boys) were compared with 35 healthy control subjects (mean age 10.4 ± 2.4 years; 28 boys). There were no significant differences between groups with regard to mean age (p = 0.598) and gender proportion (p = 0.324). Olfactory testing used the Sniffin" Sticks test (Threshold and Identification parts only).Results: Participants with Asperger"s syndrome and high functioning autism, in comparison with healthy controls, were significantly impaired relative to odor detection thresholds (6.3 ± 3.1 vs. 7.9 ± 2.0; p = 0.025). Autistic participants were significantly better in correctly identifying the odor of an orange (94% vs. 63%; p < 0.05) and significantly worse at correctly identifying the odor of cloves (40% vs. 74%; p < 0.05). With regard to identification of fourteen other substances, there were no significant differences. There was no significant difference between autistic and control subjects on the total score of olfactory identification (p = 0.799). Odor identification ability (as expressed by this total score) correlated significantly with age in the control group (p = 0.049) but not in the autism group (p = 0.103). Conclusions:We found impaired odor detection and almost normal odor identification in children with autism. Implications for further research are discussed.

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“…Another challenge is the loud acoustic noise created by the interaction of gradient currents with the main magnetic field during the MRI scan. Children with autism often have auditory sensitivities (Rogers and Ozonoff 2005;Tharpe et al 2006). Thus, the thought of enduring scanner noise may increase anxiety and decrease willingness to participate for both parents and children.…”

Section: Hhs Public Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brief Report: Methods for Acquiring Structural MRI Data in Very Young Children with Autism Without the Use of Sedation

Nordahl

Simon

Zierhut

et al. 2007

J Autism Dev Disord

115

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We describe a protocol with which we achieved a 93% success rate in acquiring high quality MRI scans without the use of sedation in 2.5-4.5 year old children with autism, developmental delays, and typical development. Our main strategy was to conduct MRIs during natural nocturnal sleep in the evenings after the child's normal bedtime. Alternatively, with some older and higher functioning children, the MRI was conducted while the child was awake and watching a video. Both strategies relied heavily on the creation of a child and family friendly MRI environment and the involvement of parents as collaborators in the project. Scanning very young children with autism, typical development, and developmental delays without the use of sedation or anesthesia was possible in the majority of cases.Correspondence to: Christine Wu Nordahl, crswu@ucdavis.edu. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided important information about the neuropathology of autism. Recent evidence suggests that there may be an altered trajectory of brain growth, with a period of precocious overgrowth in total cerebral volume that occurs in the first years of life Courchesne et al. 2001;Hazlett et al. 2005). However, there are relatively few studies that focus on children younger than six years of age (Carper et al. 2002;Courchesne et al. 2001;Hazlett et al. 2005;Sparks et al. 2002). It is critical to examine brain structure during early development, closer to the time of clinical diagnosis. HHS Public AccessIn part, the paucity of MRI studies in very young children is due to the methodological challenges of acquiring high quality MRI images. MRI is extremely sensitive to head motion, and the child must remain still for the duration of the MRI scan, typically ranging from 30 min to 1 h. Even slight movements of a few millimeters create motion artifact that can distort the image and confound all types of subsequent structural analyses. Another challenge is the loud acoustic noise created by the interaction of gradient currents with the main magnetic field during the MRI scan. Children with autism often have auditory sensitivities (Rogers and Ozonoff 2005;Tharpe et al. 2006). Thus, the thought of enduring scanner noise may increase anxiety and decrease willingness to participate for both parents and children.To circumvent these methodological challenges, the use of moderate sedation or general anesthesia is often used in children with autism. Although these methods are generally considered safe , parents are often hesitant to expose their children to sedation, especially when it is not medically indicated. Taking sedation out of the MRI protocol is likely to increase the motivation of parents whose anxiety about sedation or anesthesia had precluded them from participating in a research study involving MRI. Alternatives to sedation are also essential for those institutions that do not have capabilities to support sedation or anesthesia.The strategy of acquiring MRI scans during natural sleep has been used in typically developing chi...

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Auditory Characteristics of Children with Autism

Cited by 121 publications

References 59 publications

Audio–vocal system regulation in children with autism spectrum disorders

Audio–vocal system regulation in children with autism spectrum disorders

Odor detection threshold, but not odor identification, is impaired in children with autism

Brief Report: Methods for Acquiring Structural MRI Data in Very Young Children with Autism Without the Use of Sedation

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