Hanan Galal Azouz
Alexandria University, Egypt
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Neurol Neurophysiol
Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder characterized by a behavioral phenotype that includes qualitative impairment in the areas of language development or communication skills, social interactions and reciprocity and restricted repetitive behavior. Normal function of the auditory sensory organs and the central auditory pathways is a prerequisite for the normal development of language. In autism, deficits in language, particularly delays in language acquisition, are the principal early manifestation of the disorder. The range of language abilities varies from total muteness to the use of an apparent grammatically complex language. The auditory profile at different levels of the auditory system in children with ASD and the role of (Central) auditory processing (CAP) disorder as an essential pathology of the autistic disorder or as an associated co-morbidity was studied on thirty children, as well as the correlation between CAP findings and the language delay in these cases. 40% of the children with ASD were hyper-responsive to auditory stimuli according to the Sensory checklist for auditory skills. ABR showed inter-peak latencies (IPLs) I�V and III�V of both ears were significantly prolonged in the ASD group in addition to absolute latency of wave I of the left ear and absolute latency of wave V in right ear were significantly prolonged in the ASD group. The results concluded that (central) auditory processing disorder is an essential pathology of the autistic disorder. Autistic children possess a dysfunctioning or an immature central auditory nervous system at both the brainstem and cortical levels.
Hanan Galal Azouz has completed her Doctorate Degree of Pediatrics in 1994 from Alexandria University and PhD of health of children with special needs from Ain Shams University, Egypt. She is Professor and Head of Neuro-pediatrics and Behavioral Pediatrics unit in Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University. She supervised over 30 researches and shared in adaptation of guidelines for ADHD and ASD in Alexandria. She is a member in ICNA and was the secretary of congress of Egyptian Society of Child Neuro-Psychiatry and Pan-Arab Child Neurology Association. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.
Email: hananazouz@hotmail.com
