APD is also not classified as a type of learning disability. Since APD is a condition that affects hearing, most assume it is a form of hearing loss. A Closer Look at Auditory Processing DisorderĪccording to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is known by different names: Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), Auditory Perceptual Disorder, and Central Auditory Disorder. Here we take a closer look at APD and when hearing aids may be useful. Thankfully, in some cases, hearing aids are viable options to help those with APD. Unfortunately, this learning process gets halted for some people.Īuditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition that interferes with the hearing process, disrupting the way the brain recognizes sounds and interprets speech.
Over time we learn to recognize words and associate them with their objects.īefore you know it, we speak, participate in conversations, and learn more about the world around us. We hear their words, just combinations of letter sounds, and seek to interpret them based on numerous developmental cues. From a very early age, we are hardwired to listen intently to our loved ones as they speak. What is within the child’s control is recognizing the problems associated with APD and applying the strategies recommended both at home and school.The ability to hear sounds is a large part of our development. Symptoms and behaviors are not within the child’s control. One of the most important things that both parents and teachers can do is to acknowledge that APD is real. Here’s a link to the Nemours website with more information about auditory processing disorder.
ask for teacher notes or outlines from lessons. providing additional aids for study, like an assignment pad or a tape recorder. altering seating plans so the child can sit in the front of the room or with his or her back to the window. Kids with APD aren’t typically put in special education programs. Assign regular and realistic chores, including keeping a neat room and desk.Ĭheck out our earlier post to add movement to learning.īe sure to keep in regular contact with school officials about your child’s progress. Encourage good eating and sleeping habits. Maintain a peaceful, organized lifestyle. Provide your child with a quiet study place (not the kitchen table). Self-advocacy is critical as kids get older. It’s especially important to teach your child to notice noisy environments, for example, and move to quieter places when listening is necessary. General organization and scheduling also can be beneficial. For directions that are to be completed at a later time, writing notes, wearing a watch, and maintaining a household routine also help. Ask your child to repeat the directions back to you and to keep repeating them aloud (to you or to himself or herself) until the directions are completed. Speak at a slightly slower rate and at a mildly increased volume. NEVER force eye contact, but instead, be sure your child’s not attending to something other than your instructions. Have your child look at you when you’re speaking -**NOTE this might be difficult for many kids who have trouble making eye contact. Since most kids with APD have difficulty hearing amid noise, it’s very important to reduce the background noise at home and at school. Because it’s common for kids with CAPD to have difficulty following directions, for example, these ‘Out of the POCKET tips’ might help: Strategies applied at home and school can ease some of the problem behaviors associated with APD. It is also possible to have APD and specific language impairment or learning disabilities. Although APD is often confused with ADHD, it is possible to have both. Are conversations hard for your child to follow?ĪPD is an often misunderstood problem because many of the behaviors noted above also can appear in other conditions like learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and even depression. Is your child disorganized and forgetful?. Are verbal (word) math problems difficult for your child?. Is abstract information difficult for your child to comprehend?. Does your child have reading, spelling, writing, or other speech-language difficulties?. Does your child have difficulty following directions, whether simple or complicated?. Does your child’s behavior and performance improve in quieter settings?. Are noisy environments upsetting to your child?. Is your child easily distracted or unusually bothered by loud or sudden noises?. What are some signs of auditory processing disorder or APD? In fact, it can take the brain some extra time to process the information coming through the auditory system. 
Sometimes, people think kids aren’t paying attention or are daydreaming. Auditory processing disorders are often masked as other things.
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