Auditory Processing Disorder (1318)
Key points below
What is APD?
APD makes it hard for a child to know what a sound or speech means. It is not how the ears hear the sound, but how the brain interprets sound. It is not a hearing loss.What happens with APD?
Your child might struggle:
- to understand speech. This is even harder when there is background noise.
- to follow instructions that have more than one thing to do.
- to remember what was said.
- with reading, spelling, and writing.
- to pay attention to someone talking for a long time.
- to understand jokes, or know if people are teasing them.
- to answer quickly when talking with others.
How is APD diagnosed?
Testing can be done when your child:
- is at least 7 years old.
- has normal hearing.
- speaks clearly enough to understand most of what they say.
The APD team will review your child’s past medical and school records. This may include their IEP (Individual Education Plan) and other evaluations.
Testing is done by an Audiologist. During testing, your child will do different listening tests. Testing takes 1 to 2 hours. Your child will need to pay attention during the testing time. The audiologist will score and review the results.
What can help a child with APD?
The APD team will give you a list of ways for the school to help your child. Some examples might be:
- Sit close to the teacher and away from loud noises, like fans and HVAC systems.
- Give your child written instructions
- Use quiet study areas
- Teach new information and new words to your child before they need it for school
- Reward your child when they follow suggestions and understand what is said
- Show your child how to listen better. This includes looking at the speaker and turning off background noise.
- Get your child’s attention before speaking to them
- Repeat information as needed
- Give your child listening breaks
- Tell child when more than one instruction will be given
Can APD be cured?
The brain’s ability to know what sounds mean is not fully developed when a child is born. It continues to get better during childhood. It is not mature until they are 12 or 13 years old. Some children’s listening problems can get better as they get older. Some children might have APD their whole life.