AUDITORY PROCESSING

DISORDER (APD)
LEARNING DISABILITY

Joshua Nelson
10522107 Overview of Special Education
What is Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?
A.K.A. Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)

Neurological defect between the auditory (hearing) nerve

through the higher auditory pathways in the brain
From the outer ear to the brain

Hearing is active, but verbal words are difficult to

interpret, recognize, and use acoustic information in
society

Information processed will result to inaccurate or

incomplete coding of sound because of the delay in the
auditory signal transmission
i.e. Listening to a radio station with static interference

Usually involves social surroundings with background noises

i.e. playground, cafeterias, school-events, and parties

5% of school-aged children are reported to have APD

Experts estimate that boys are twice likely to have APD

than girls, but there is not evidence to prove the theory
What are the common symptoms and questions to ask to
identify APD?
Symptoms
Common Symptoms
Constantly saying, huh? or what?
Ask speakers to repeat what theyve said
Difficulty remembering detailed information
read or heard
Hard to follow with conversations
Distracted with background noises
Interprets words too literally
Frustrated with certain tasks
Easily distracted or bored when conversations
or activities do not include visuals
Difficult to find the right words in responses
Inability to sing in tune or poor music ability
Questions
Is child easily distracted or unusually bothered by
loud or sudden noises?
Are noisy environments upsetting the child?
Does childs behavior and performance improve in
quieter settings?
Does child have difficulty following directions,
whether simple or complicated?
Does child have reading, spelling, writing, or other
speech-language difficulties?
Are verbal (oral) math problems difficult for child?
Is child disorganized and forgetful?
Are conversations hard for child to follow?
Causes and Prevalence of APD

What causes APD?

Exact causes are unknown, but research suggests:
Premature birth or low birthweight
Head Trauma
Chronic Ear Infections
Lead poisoning
Multiple Causes

What is the Prevalence of APD?

Auditory Processing Disorder is often un/misdiagnosed because of other coexisting disorders
i.e. inattentive, ADHD, dyslexic, LD, PDD, behavior problems, or receptive language disorder
25% children with learning disabilities have APD and Dyslexia
Up to 43% of children with learning difficulties have APD
50% children with dyslexia also have APD
What is it like to have Auditory Processing Disorder
(APD)?

Here is a story by Jaziah

Jaziahs Story Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj2TYS9dOa4

Skills that are in concern with the affect of APD

Communication may not speak clearly
Might confuse similar sounds (i.e. free instead of three)
Academics difficult in subjects of reading, spelling, and writing
Understanding verbal instructions is challenging
Social Skills trouble telling stories or jokes
May avoid conversations with peers because its difficult to process whats been said and think an
appropriate response
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Simulation

Misunderstood Minds (Activity)

http://
www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/e
xperiences/attexp2b.html

How did this activity make you feel?

???
Confused!
Angry!
Frustrated!

This is where an educator will

consider asking
parents/caregivers for diagnosis
and treatments
How is Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) diagnosed?
Five main problems an Audiologist look for in children with APD
Audiologist is properly trained to
conduct tests to diagnose APD
Audiologist is a healthcare professional
trained to evaluate hearing loss and
related disorders (http://
www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.as
p?articlekey=10752
).
Pediatricians may be the first
professional to visit to check hearing and
ear infections
Speech-Language Pathologists and/or
School Psychologists may measure
listening comprehension skills and
receptive language
1. Auditory figure-ground problems child
cant concentrate with background noises
I. Noisy structured classroom
2. Auditory memory problems difficulty in
remembering verbal information
I. I cant remember it now/for later
3. Auditory discrimination problems hard
to distinguish similar words and sounds
I. Mistakes Coat/Boat or CH/SH
4. Auditory attention problems child cant
complete a task from lack of
focus/listening
I. Listening to a lecture in school
5. Auditory cohesion problems higher-level
listening tasks are difficult
I. Understanding riddles or Comprehending
verbal math problems
How to support children with Auditory Processing Disorder
(APD)?

Accommodations at School At Home

Seating arrangement
Insist students be seated in front of
classroom
Improved acoustics Provide a quiet space for studying, with background noises
Close doors and windows to minimize outside at a minimum
noises
Eye contact when speaking
Assistive Technology
Use one-step directions
Headset with a clip on microphone
Speak slightly slower rate and slightly high volume
Classroom Visuals
Images and gestures as reinforcements Ask child to repeat directions back to you, or ask child to
write notes as a reminder
Quiet rooms for taking tests

Special Instruction
Computer programs
Resources and More Information

Auditory Processing Disorder Auditory Processing Center, LLC. 541

Hwy 80 West Suite C, Clinton, MS 39056. Web 17 May 2017. http://
auditorycenter.com/what-is-auditory-processing-disorder/
The Understood Team. Understanding Auditory Processing
Disorder. Understood.org. Web 18 May 2017. https://
www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities
/auditory-processing-disorder/understanding-auditory-processing-disorder
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). KidsHealth.org. Web 19 May 2017.
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/central-auditory.html