Approach and Adjustment Adapted to Meet Cognitive and Behavioral Characteristics in the Auditory and Language Training of a Hearing-Impaired Young Child Suspected of Having AD/HD

Abstract

We undertook auditory and language training for a hearing-impaired young child suspected to have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). In this training, carried out between the ages of 3 and 6, we analyzed the therapistʼs approach and adjustment adapted to meet the childʼs AD/HD cognitive and behavioral needs as compared with two hearing-impaired young children of the same age without AD/HD. The results suggested that an early approach and adjustment which addresses the cognitive and behavioral needs of AD/HD are effective, in addition to management of the hearing loss. Particularly in the case under study, the following appeared to be useful for the subjectʼs characteristic inattention behavior: 1) a structured learning procedure, involving initial provision of a task schedule and signals, and setting of goals at the end; 2