for students with (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder (C)APD
Students in Singapore diagnosed with (C)APD demonstrated significant gains in reading skills after using Fast ForWord in a study conducted through the University of Western Australia.
Two groups of students from a public primary school in Singapore used the Fast ForWord Language product. The students in both groups were poor readers, but the students in one group also had Central Auditory Processing Disorders (C)APD. Before Fast ForWord participation, the (C)APD group was performing in the below average range in both sight word reading ability and phonemic decoding ability, while the non-APD group was at the low end of the average range in both skills. After using Fast ForWord Language, both groups demonstrated significant gains in both skill areas, with the (C)APD group moving into the average range in sight word reading ability and phonemic decoding ability.
Improved Reading Fluency
Methodology
Students were evaluated with the Test of Word Reading Efficiency before and after using Fast ForWord Language.
Measures
Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE): The TOWRE is a nationally normed measure of word reading accuracy and fluency. The TOWRE contains two components, independently assessing phonemic decoding and sight word recognition. The Sight Word Efficiency subtest measures the ability to accurately recognise familiar words as whole units. The Phonemic Decoding Efficiency subtest measures the ability to “sound out” nonwords that follow English spelling conventions.
In the United States, the Institute for the Development of Educational Achievement, in accordance with the Reading First legislation, determined that the TOWRE subtests are appropriate outcome assessments for accurately measuring improvement in the reading fluency skills of children in early elementary school.
Sources
Ho, Cheryl (2004). An examination of Fast ForWord language intervention for children with poor reading abilities. Unpublished honours thesis, School of Psychology, University of Western Australia.
Scientific Learning Corporation (2006). Improved Reading Skills and Behavior in Primary School Students who Used Fast ForWord® Language at a Singapore Public School, MAPS for Learning: Educator Reports, 10(5): 1-6.
For more information about this research study, please refer to the full report.