Enhancing Auditory Discrimination in Children with Moderate-Functioning Autism: The Impact of Vestibular Training

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often accompanied by sensory processing abnormalities, particularly in auditory processing and discrimination. Auditory discrimination is essential for language development, communication, and academic functioning. Because the vestibular system plays an important role in sensory integration and attentional regulation, vestibular-based interventions may improve auditory processing abilities in children with ASD. The present study investigated the effectiveness of vestibular training in enhancing auditory discrimination among children with moderate-functioning autism.Method: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest control-group design. Participants included ۲۴ children with moderate-functioning ASD, aged ۷–۱۰, recruited from autism rehabilitation clinics in Tehran, Iran, in ۲۰۲۵. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = ۱۲) or a control group (n = ۱۲). The experimental group received an eight-week vestibular training program consisting of three weekly sessions, while the control group continued routine services. Auditory discrimination was assessed using the Persian-adapted Wechsler Auditory Discrimination Test (WADT). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in auditory discrimination scores compared with the control group after the intervention (F(۱, ۲۱) = ۸۲.۳۷, p < .۰۰۱, partial η² = .۷۹۷). These results suggest a strong positive effect of vestibular training on auditory discrimination abilities in children with ASD.Conclusion: Vestibular training is an effective complementary intervention for improving auditory discrimination in children with moderate-functioning autism. These results suggest that multisensory and vestibular-based approaches can enhance auditory processing and communication skills in children with autism.

کلیدواژه ها:

autism spectrum disorder ، auditory discrimination ، vestibular training ، sensory integration ، moderate-functioning autism ، auditory processing