title: [Is a differentiation between low-level and higher phonological processing in primary school children justified?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several sensory, perceptual and cognitive processes contribute to phonological processing. Distinguishing between low- and high-level phonological processing has proven useful in clinical tests (speech and language diagnostics). Only in the case of the latter is it necessary to operate consciously with speech sounds. This study aims to evaluate whether the aforementioned differentiation between low- and high-level phonological processing is justified.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective correlation analysis was carried out using the data from 85 primary school children (6.7-11.3 years old) on low- and high-level phonological processing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total values showed a moderate to strong correlation between the results of low- and high-level phonological processing. The subscales showed correlation coefficients below 0.5.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results confirm that a differentiation between low- and high-level phonological processing, as mentioned above, is justified. Future studies will need to clarify whether therapeutic strategies which take a differentiation of this kind into account are more effective than broad-based or unspecific therapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Deutschland. Ptok.martin@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ptok
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Altwein
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007807:Language Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity