Auditory processing disorder (APD), also referred to as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), affects approximately 5% of school-aged children(1). These children are unable to process sound, speech and other auditory stimuli because the brain is unable to perceive and interpret the information properly.
Background noises and distracting auditory stimuli often make it very hard for a child with APD to understand and recognize words being said. This can make it difficult for children in crowded rooms or noisy classrooms to learn at an optimal level. Without early detection a child may ultimately end up having speech and developmental delays.
Auditory processing disorder has some similar symptoms of ADHD, including difficulty following directions, disorganized, forgetful and being easily distracted by background noises. It's important to be aware that APD may also cause behavioral problems due to the child becoming frustrated with inability to understand. Because this disorder can often be confused with ADHD and learning disabilities, a child with APD does not always receive the proper treatment needed.
Causes of Auditory Processing Disorder
There is not just one possible cause of APD. Lead poisoning, chronic ear infections and head trauma are all possible causes(1). Some children have no known cause, although it is also possible that the condition is hereditary meaning that there might be a genetic predisposition to developing the disorder.
Symptoms
To some extent all children may display some of the symptoms at sometime in their life, so it is important to note that just because your child may display some of the symptoms does not necessarily mean he or she has APD. It is when there is a recurrent problem that interferes with daily functioning that may indicate the disorder. Some signs and symptoms of APD include(2):
• Difficulties with attention and memory for information presented orally • Difficulty carrying out multistep directions • Poor listening skills • Need more time to perceive and interpret information • Low academic performance • Behavior problems • Struggle with Language(e.g., they may confuse words that sound the same and have problems developing vocabulary and/or understanding language) • Problems with reading, comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary
Treatment
If you suspect that your child has APD, speak to your healthcare provider. Diagnosis will usually need to come from an audiologist. Younger children may sometimes display symptoms similar to APD due to the brain still developing and learning to process information, which is why APD is typically not diagnosed until 8 or 9 years of age.
I know I often find my son displaying some of these symptoms, but because he is at such a young age it is hard to determine whether it is simply because of his age or because he may actually have a hard time processing what I am saying to him.
Treatment for APD may include(2):
• Deficit-specific, formal and informal auditory training • Speech and language therapy • Language processing training • Frequency Modulated (FM) Systems • Computer-assisted therapy such as Fast Forword and Earobics • Environmental modification to help with auditory processing • Training of compensatory skills •
Auditory integration training for auditory processing disorder
which helps to retrain a disorganized auditory system by improving hearing distortions and sound sensitivities.
Auditory processing disorder (APD), also referred to as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), affects approximately 5% of school-aged children(1). These children are unable to process sound, speech and other auditory stimuli because the brain is unable to perceive and interpret the information properly.