Construction, analysis and trial of the Heidelberg auditory-kinesthetic sound discrimination test.

Construction, analysis and trial Of the Heidelberg auditory-kinesthetic sou nd discrimination test. The current study presents a newly developed comput erized test for the diagnosis of dyslexia jan auditory and kinesthetic:soun d discrimination test called the "Heidelbeger Lautdifferenzierungstest zur auditiv-kinasthetischen Wahrnehmungstrennscharfe" : HD-LT). The provisional trial was(carried Out in a sample of 133 second- and 138 fourth-graders fr om the Heidelberg area. The HD-LT was subjected to an item selection test criteria were ascertained and temporary percentile norms for the second and fourth grades were estab lished. High item difficulty resulted for both grades, i.e. the test was re latively easy. Test criteria were generally satisfactory, Significant corre lations were found in both grades between the HD-LT and the children's spel ling ability. The HD-LT accounted for 30% Of the spelling variance among se cond-graders as compared to 10% of that among fourth-graders, This reflects the, specific significance Of phonetic discrimination ability in the first years of elementary School. Children with spelling difficulties were compa red to those with good spelling abilities in:respect to their ability to di scriminate Sound. Spelling-impaired children In both grades exhibited a sig nificantly lower overall HD-LT score. No significant sex differences were found with regard to-the auditory and k inesthetic phonetic discrimination ability. Since the HD-LT turns put to be well-suited to indicate a phonetic discrimi nation disability during the initial phases of acquisition of written langu age, its further development and extension of its application to the pre-sc hool level ate recommended.