A longitudinal study on the development trajectory of auditory processing and its relationship with language development in Chinese preschool children with autism spectrum disorder: Study protocol

Abstract Background：It was reported that more than 96% of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children are accompanied with different degrees of sensory processing abnormalities, and up to 50% of ASD children exhibit abnormal auditory response. Studies have confirmed that some ASD children’s abnormal auditory response may be related to their abnormal auditory processing. Prior research demonstrated that ASD children’s auditory processing has high heterogeneity, thus, ASD children’s auditory processing may have different developmental trajectories. However, no study has concentrated on the developmental trajectories of ASD children’s auditory processing. In addition, auditory processing plays a crucial role in ASD children’s language development, thus, ASD children’s different language development outcomes may be related to different auditory processing development tracks. Therefore, this study aims to explore the developmental trajectory of auditory processing in ASD children and analyze the relationship between different developmental trajectories of auditory processing and language impairment. Methods/Design：In this study, 220 ASD children aging 3 years and 0 months to 4 years and 11 months are recruited as the research objects, and their demographic characteristics are collected. The subjects are tested for peripheral hearing, intelligence, and autism symptoms. Furthermore, ASD children’s auditory processing and language development are evaluated at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years later. In addition, ASD children’s auditory processing is evaluated by electrophysiological test and the Preschool Auditory Processing Assessment Scale. Moreover, ASD children’s language skills are assessed using the Language Development Assessment Scale for Children Aged 1-6. The various categories of the developmental trajectory of ASD children’s auditory processing are examined through the latent category growth model. Additionally, a hierarchical regression model is developed to analyze the predictive impact of different auditory processing development trajectories on language impairment in ASD children. Discussion：This longitudinal study will explore the categories of auditory processing developmental trajectories in ASD children, and analyze the relationship between different categories of auditory processing developmental trajectories and language development, providing new ideas and targeted targets for the rehabilitation training of language impairment in ASD children, as well as promoting early and accurate interventions for ASD children.