Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): What Parents Should Know

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder, is a complex problem affecting about 3% to 5% of school-aged children, according to Nemours Kids Health. These kids have a glitch in the way their brains interpret the sounds they hear, particularly speech. Understanding APD can be challenging, but as a parent, it’s important to recognize the symptoms, understand the treatments and support your child through their struggles with this disorder.

What is Auditory Processing Disorder?

Auditory Processing Disorder is an often misunderstood condition. Despite having normal hearing, children with APD struggle with recognizing subtle differences between sounds in words. This issue isn’t due to any hearing impairment but rather a dysfunction in the brain’s ability to process auditory information.

Is Auditory Processing Disorder a Disability?

APD is not classified as a hearing impairment or a traditional learning disability, but it can certainly impact learning. It may or may not be recognized as a disability depending on the laws of your country or region. Some educational systems may classify it as a communication disorder, making a child eligible for special education services.

Auditory Processing Disorder Symptoms

Recognizing the signs of APD can be tricky, as they often mimic other problems, such as attention deficits or learning difficulties.

Common symptoms of auditory processing disorder include:

• Difficulty following spoken directions, especially multi-step instructions
• Problems listening in noisy environments
• Misunderstanding or misinterpreting spoken messages
• Frequent requests for repetition or saying “what?” or “huh?”
• Poor listening skills
• Difficulty with phonics or speech sounds leading to reading, spelling or speech-language difficulties
• Trouble with organizational skills

Types of Auditory Processing Disorder

APD can manifest in different ways. Some children might have trouble with the volume of sounds (auditory discrimination), while others might have difficulties determining where sounds are coming from (auditory localization) or how sounds are sequenced (auditory sequencing).

The Four Main Subtypes of APD:

• Auditory Discrimination: Difficulties in distinguishing between similar sounds or words.
• Auditory Figure-Ground Discrimination: Challenges with focusing on important sounds in a noisy setting.
• Auditory Memory: Trouble with remembering information such as instructions or lists.
• Auditory Sequencing: Issues with understanding and recalling the order of sounds or words.

Auditory Processing Disorder in Children

Children with APD can present a wide range of behaviors. Some might appear inattentive or daydream in noisy environments, while others might show signs of being overwhelmed by auditory stimuli. These challenges can lead to social and academic difficulties.

Academic Challenges

Children with APD often struggle with tasks that require listening, which can affect their performance in school. They may have problems with reading comprehension, verbal math problems and following spoken instructions. This can lead to frustrations, poor academic performance and a lack of confidence.

Social Challenges

Social interaction relies heavily on the ability to process auditory information. Children with APD might find it challenging to follow conversations, especially in noisy places like the playground or cafeteria. This can result in social isolation or difficulty making friends.

Diagnosing Auditory Processing Disorder

Diagnosis typically involves a multidisciplinary team, including audiologists, speech-language pathologists and educators. Children are usually not assessed for APD until they are at least 7 or 8 years old because their auditory processing abilities are still developing.

The diagnostic process may include:

• A comprehensive hearing test to rule out hearing loss
• Auditory processing tests that assess different skills such as auditory discrimination and auditory figure-ground discrimination
• Speech-language evaluations
• Psychological assessments to rule out other conditions

Auditory Processing Disorder Treatment

While there is no cure for APD, there are many strategies and therapies that can help children cope with the disorder. Treatment options may include:

Environmental Modifications

Creating a learning environment that reduces background noise can help. Using FM systems that amplify the teacher’s voice directly into the child’s ear can also be beneficial.

Auditory Training

Therapists may use computer-assisted programs or one-on-one training to help improve specific auditory processing skills.

Compensatory Strategies

Teaching children coping mechanisms, such as looking at the speaker or asking for information to be repeated, can be effective.

Speech-Language Therapy

Working with a speech-language pathologist can help improve language skills that are often affected by APD.

Educational Interventions

School accommodations, such as providing written instructions or allowing extra time for tasks, can support a child’s learning needs.

Supporting Your Child with APD

As a parent, you play a vital role in your child’s journey with APD. Advocate for your child at school, ensure they receive the necessary accommodations and work closely with their educators and therapists.

Tips for Supporting Your Child at Home

• Minimize background noise during homework time
• Break down instructions into smaller, manageable steps
• Use visual aids to supplement spoken information
• Encourage good organizational habits
• Foster a supportive and understanding home environment

Empowering Your Child: Overcome APD Hurdles

Auditory Processing Disorder presents unique challenges, but with the right support and intervention, children with APD can thrive both academically and socially. Understanding the symptoms, seeking a proper diagnosis and implementing effective treatments are key steps in helping your child succeed.

By staying informed and proactive, parents can ensure their child with APD receives the necessary resources to navigate their learning differences and reach their full potential. Recognizing the problem is the first step to overcoming it.

LifeWorks School is here to support and empower your child. We provide extensive educational services and resources to children struggling with mental or behavioral health issues.

To learn more about what LifeWorks School can do for your child give us a call at 215-489-3028 or fill out the contact us form.