Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition in which the brain has difficulty processing and understanding sound information, even though hearing is normal. It is sometimes referred to as auditory dys-synchrony or central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). It is a condition that is often overlooked by parents, teachers, and medical professionals, but it can be a serious issue that affects the way a child learns and communicates.
People with APD have difficulty understanding and interpreting sound information. This can lead to difficulties in understanding spoken language, following directions, and distinguishing between similar sounding words or syllables. It can also affect the ability to comprehend or remember what was said, and it may also affect a child’s reading ability.
Symptoms of APD
The symptoms of APD can vary from person to person, but generally include difficulty understanding what is being said in noisy environments, difficulty following directions, difficulty with understanding rapid speech, and difficulty distinguishing between similar sounding words or syllables. Early diagnosis and intervention is key. Look out for the following things in your child:
- Inability to hear properly when the background is noisy or too loud.
- Frustration when exposed to noisy classrooms in the school.
- Improvement in child’s performance in hearing and reading when in a peaceful environment.
- Difficulties in reading, writing, spelling, or other things related to speech.
- Difficulty with understanding language concepts (such as grammar)
- Unable to follow directions properly, irrespective of the complexity.
- Loses focus and interest when having long conversations.
- Difficulty understanding jokes or sarcasm
- Disorganised behaviour and forgets things often.
- Lacks cohesive skills like drawing inferences, understanding a verbal math problem, or solving puzzles and riddles.
How is APD diagnosed?
APD can be difficult to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. It is important to have a professional evaluation completed by a certified audiologist. They administer an audiological evaluation which includes a hearing test and auditory processing tests. During the auditory processing tests, the audiologist may use headphones to deliver sounds to the patient and measure their responses to determine if there is an underlying APD.
How to Help a Child with APD
There are several different strategies that can be used to help a child with APD. These strategies include seating the child in the front of the classroom, using visual cues to aid in understanding, breaking down instructions into smaller steps, providing extra time to process information, and using assistive listening devices such as an FM System.
Treatments and Interventions for APD
There are several different treatments and interventions that can be used to help a child with APD. These treatments and interventions include speech and language therapy, auditory training, cognitive training, and assistive technology.
Fast ForWord as an Intervention for APD
Fast ForWord is a computer-based program designed to help children with APD improve their auditory processing skills. This program combines auditory training and cognitive training to help children improve their listening, language, and reading skills. The program was designed by leading neuroscientists and speech-pathologists, and it is backed by a large body of research pointing to its efficacy in treating APD.
Conclusion
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a neurological disorder that affects how the brain processes and interprets sound. It can be difficult to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. There are several different treatments and interventions that can be used to help a child with APD, including speech and language therapy, auditory training, cognitive training, and assistive technology. Fast ForWord is a computer-based program designed to help children with APD improve their auditory processing skills. With the right interventions, children with APD can make great strides in their ability to process sound.