TAVS
Test of Auditory and Visual Skills
If you work with children or adults with learning difficulties, this is a vital screening tool.
TAVS is available as a package with either a live or web-based training option.
TAVS (Test of Auditory and Visual Skills)
TAVS is a unique tool for assessing many subtle areas of auditory and visual processing. Screening areas that are important for listening, reading and attention skills can help to understand the challenges that children may be having within the classroom or at home.
Many auditory tests use speech to assess auditory processing function. Whilst this is important, TAVS assesses much more fundamental auditory and visual processes that underpin listening and other skills.
Furthermore, the algorithms built into the TAVS machine will automatically adjust the stimulus based on each previous response to achieve a 'best value' or threshold level. Auditory testing offered on a fixed CD cannot offer this level of flexibility.
Portable and easy to use, each individual area of screening can be completed in only 3 minutes. It is a powerful indicator towards programmes such as The Listening Program® and progress can be monitored and seen in the different areas of visual and auditory processing.
TAVS contains a unique 2 minute pretest to ensure that anyone undertaking the screening is able to comply with the requirements of the test. With the ability to screen anyone from the age of 5 and reference norms for all subtests, this is a valuable assessment tool for anyone working with children adults with a range of learning and sensory challenges.
TAVS screens the following areas:
-
Temporal Order Processing
-
Auditory and visual fusion threshold
-
Auditory motor skills (rhythm)
-
Pitch discrimination
-
Duration Pattern
-
Sound localisation
-
Pitch pattern perception
-
Gap in noise
-
Auditory and visual cross modality function
TAVS: The Functions and their button responses:
1. Temporal Order Processing (Auditory, Visual or combined)
Temporal order processing speed is the ability to sequence sounds that are presented quickly and in a certain spatial order. It is known to affect speech perception, reading and phonological awareness and is therefore an important skill to assess.
2. Fusion Threshold: (Auditory, Visual or combined)
Auditory fusion is a measure of temporal resolution and assesses the ability to detect gaps and changes in sound. We need to detect gaps in sound to a level of 20msec to appreciate the difference between a 'b' and 'd'.
3. Auditory Motor: (Auditory, Visual or combined)
Assesses the ability to respond to a steady beat and keep the beat. This has shown to be an important task for academic success, especially in Maths and Literacy. Work by Phyllis Weikart and others shows the effect of steady beat competency on academic skills. E.g. Mitchell, D. L. (1994, May). The relationship between rhythmic competency and academic performance in first grade children. Doctoral Dissertation. Orlando, FL: University of Central Florida Department of Exceptional and Physical Education.
4. Pitch Discrimination: Auditory
Pitch discrimination is an important skill whether we are looking at our ability to process language quickly or sing in tune.
5. Duration Pattern testing: Auditory
Using tones and clicks this subtest assesses our ability to order a sequence of sound.
6. Directional Hearing: Auditory
Sound localisation skills are vital to be able to relax in any environment and assess where certain sounds are coming from. Many children with auditory processing issues have challenges with sound localisation.
7. Pitch Pattern: Auditory
Assesses whether or not a child is able to follow a short pattern of sound and know which sound is higher or lower than another.
8. Noisegap
This is an important and widely used test of temporal resolution. The most basic elements of processing sound require us to be able to detect gaps in sound. If we are unable to detect gaps in sound this will lead to higher level listening and speech problems.
9. Crossmodality: (Auditory and Visual mix)
Combines visual and auditory stimulus and laterality awareness. Challenges with lateral processing of information and assesses our ability to combine visual and auditory information.
Book your TAVS Course place today to really understand the auditory and visual processing levels of your children, clients or patients
