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Communication skills, sensory integration functions, and auditory brainstem response: findings in a group of Egyptian children with autistic features

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology volume 28, pages 117–126 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this work was to study the correlation between communication skills, sensory integration dysfunction, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) findings in a group of children with autistic features in order to gain a better understanding of some of the communication deficits commonly encountered in these children.

Methods

The study was conducted on 25 Egyptian children with autistic features and 25 age-matched and sex-matched typically developing children. All the children’s age ranged from 4 to 9 years. Each child was subjected to the following: history taking, communication assessment, sensory integration dysfunction questionnaire, psychometric evaluation, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, basic audiological evaluation, and assessment of ABR (20 and 70 c/s). The results obtained from the two groups were then compared. In addition, correlation studies of all the results obtained were carried out.

Results

There were significant differences between the two groups under study in terms of communication skills, sensory integration dysfunction, and ABR waves III, III–V, V (20 c/s), I–V, and Vº (70 c/s). There was a significant negative correlation between ABR waves I and III and behavior, intentionality, capacity of symbols, reasoning, and total communication scores. There was a significant negative correlation between ABR waves III and V and forms, behaviors, intentionality, capacity of symbols, imitation, and total communication scores. There was a significant positive correlation between auditory sensory dysfunction scores and ABR wave V and waves III–V. There was a significant negative correlation between sensory integration dysfunction and intelligent quotient and communication skills. There was a significant positive correlation between sensory integration dysfunction scores and the severity of autism.

Conclusion and recommendations

Some of the communication difficulties shown by children with autism might be related to sensory integration dysfunction. Auditory defects in autism may involve lower levels of neural transmission. Reducing sensory integration deficits can aid in minimizing some of the features commonly encountered in children with autism. This would also aid in further development of their sociocommunication skills. ABR, as an objective tool, may be used as a prognostic indicator.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ENT, Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Kamal L. Samy

  2. Phoniatric Unit, Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, 39 el Meqyas Street, El Roda, 11451, Cairo, Egypt

    Dalia M. Osman

  3. Audiology Unit, Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Mona H. Selim

  4. Phoniatric Unit, Hearing and Speech Institute, Cairo, Egypt

    Reham A. Mohamed

Authors
  1. Kamal L. Samy
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  2. Dalia M. Osman
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  3. Mona H. Selim
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  4. Reham A. Mohamed
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dalia M. Osman.

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Samy, K.L., Osman, D.M., Selim, M.H. et al. Communication skills, sensory integration functions, and auditory brainstem response: findings in a group of Egyptian children with autistic features. Egypt J Otolaryngol 28, 117–126 (2012). https://doi.org/10.7123/01.EJO.0000413494.24410.1f

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7123/01.EJO.0000413494.24410.1f

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