There is nothing more disheartening than seeing your child struggle with things that are normal for others, be it physically, mentally, or emotionally. For many parents, this feeling can be so hard to accept, especially when it is about communication. You might have noticed that your child hears words but doesn’t seem to understand them, struggles to follow directions despite paying attention, or is easily distracted, these may be signs of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).
At first, these symptoms might appear similar to hearing loss, but a simple hearing test often rules out that possibility. Individuals with APD don’t really have hearing loss, but they struggle to process and make sense of what they hear. This creates chaos in their daily life, which leads to distraction, difficulty in understanding speech, and discriminating sounds. So, the next time you wonder why people with APD are always frustrated and anxious, you probably know the reason.
In Canada, approximately 3-5% of school-age children are diagnosed with APD. This means your child is not all alone, and there is no need to panic or let them feel isolated. Instead, finding ways to overcome the situation will help them live a better life.
Although researchers worldwide are actively exploring potential treatments for auditory processing disorder, various strategies, including auditory processing training, speech therapy, and environmental adjustments, can manage its effects and improve daily life. Through this blog post, we will help you understand APD, its symptoms, and the importance of early intervention.
What is Auditory Processing Disorder?
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s ability to understand, communicate, and socialize. The condition is prevalent in school-age children, making them struggle with understanding what they hear, processing words & sentences, and interpreting different sounds. In simple words, they struggle to process auditory information due to the lack of coordination between their ears and brain.
The exact cause of auditory processing disorder remains unknown, but it is often associated with other conditions. For instance, APD in adults can be due to stroke or head trauma, while low birth weight, premature birth, neurodivergent conditions like Learning disabilities, ADHD, or Autism, and repeated ear infections are said to be the causes of APD in children.
If left undiagnosed or untreated, APD carries the risk of speech and language delays, academic struggles, and communication gaps. With early intervention like speech therapy or environmental adjustment, the condition and symptoms can be managed to minimize their impact on a child’s life.
Different Types of Auditory Processing Disorders
As mentioned above, people often mistake APD for hearing loss, but it is different in a way that children with APD can hear sounds but struggle to process and interpret them correctly. Likewise, auditory processing disorder itself is characterized by various types. Each of these types has unique symptoms, and some individuals might experience more than just one type of APD.
Auditory Hypersensitivity
Auditory hypersensitivity mainly includes symptoms, including difficulty in understanding spoken language and processing auditory information, especially in loud surroundings. Specific sounds, like white noise or head equipment sounds, may distress individuals with this type of APD.
Phonetic Decoding
This is the most common type of auditory processing disorder, which makes it challenging for individuals to interpret the meaning of words or sounds they hear. In simple words, individuals don’t have any hearing difficulties, but once the auditory information gets into their central nervous system, it becomes difficult to decode.
Integration
Individuals with auditory integration might find it difficult to carry out multiple tasks at once while listening. This type of APD is often spotted in school environments where students have to take notes while listening to lectures.
Prosodic
The prosodic type of APD affects an individual’s ability to process tone, understand meaning, or inflection. This makes it challenging for them to understand speech elements, such as questions or exclamations.
Organisational Deficit
In this APD type, the individual struggles with processing sounds in a specific order, especially in noisy environments. For instance, difficulty in following directions, organizing notes, or generating verbal responses.
What are the Signs of APD That Need Immediate Attention?
Auditory processing disorder (APD) symptoms are quite similar to those of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities. It is because APD often co-exists with these conditions, meaning individuals with such challenges are more likely to experience auditory processing difficulties as well. Common signs of APD include the following:”
1. Trouble Understanding Speech in Noisy Places
Kids with APD often find it hard to hear when there’s noise around, like in a classroom or playground. They might ask people to repeat things a lot or seem confused during conversations. For example, they may not understand the teacher if other kids are talking. This happens because their brain struggles to focus on one sound at a time.
2. Difficulty Following Instructions
If your child often forgets or mixes up instructions, it could be APD. They might hear “put your shoes on and grab your bag,” but only do one part. This isn’t because they are not listening, but it’s because their brain can’t process the steps properly, especially if instructions are long or spoken fast.
3. Problems with Reading or Spelling
APD can make reading and spelling tough. Kids might struggle to sound out words or mix up letters, like saying “bat” instead of “pat.” This happens because they can’t connect sounds to letters well. In school, they may fall behind in subjects that require strong reading skills, like English.
4. Easily Distracted by Sounds
Children with APD get distracted by noises that others can ignore, like a fan running or birds chirping. They might stop working to focus on the sound or seem restless. This makes it hard for them to concentrate on tasks, like doing homework or listening to a story.
5. Trouble Distinguishing Sounds
Kids with APD often can’t tell similar sounds apart, like “big” and “pig.” They might also struggle to notice where a sound is coming from, like if someone calls them from another room. This can make conversations confusing and lead to delays in speaking or understanding language.
6. Delayed Responses in Conversations
If your child takes a long time to answer questions or seems slow to reply, it might be APD. They need extra time to process what they hear before responding. For example, you might ask, “Do you want juice?” and they pause for a while before answering.
7. Avoiding Social Situations
APD can make social settings hard, so kids might avoid them. They may feel shy or frustrated because they can’t follow group conversations or games. This can lead to them playing alone or seeming withdrawn, especially in noisy places like birthday parties or family gatherings.
When Should You Consult a Specialist?
You should immediately see an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist if your child shows signs of APD that affect their daily life. For example, if they struggle to hear in noisy places, like a busy classroom, or often ask people to repeat things, it’s a sign.
If they can’t follow simple instructions, like “put your toys away,” or seem distracted by small noises, like a fan, it might be APD. Other clues include trouble with reading, spelling, or talking with friends. If these issues make school hard or your child feels shy and avoids others, don’t wait.
Early diagnosis is important because it allows for timely intervention, which can help your child develop coping strategies and receive the right support. A specialist, usually an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist trained in APD, can conduct evaluations to determine the nature of the issue and suggest therapies that improve daily life. The assessment typically begins with an audiogram to test your child’s hearing and ensure their ears function well.
Following this, specialized auditory processing disorder tests take place in a quiet room. These assessments may include testing how well your child hears words in noisy settings, distinguishing between similar sounds like ‘bat’ and ‘pat,’ and following multi-step directions. Some evaluations use headphones to check how well they perceive sounds from different directions.
APD testing is generally conducted over a couple of sittings rather than a single session. Various screenings and assessment tools are available to diagnose the condition accurately, allowing specialists to tailor interventions based on individual needs.
Why is Early Intervention Important for APD?
Early intervention has proven to be helpful for children with APD to receive the support they need. Recognizing the signs early, consulting specialists, and starting therapy can help them overcome challenges and thrive in school and social settings.
When APD is not diagnosed or treated, a child may struggle with simple tasks that involve listening. In noisy environments, like classrooms or playgrounds, they may find it hard to follow conversations or understand teachers. They might often ask people to repeat things, leading to frustration for both the child and those around them.
At the same time, the child might find it hard to engage in conversations, respond correctly, or understand jokes and stories. This can make them feel left out, leading to loneliness or withdrawal from social activities.
If APD is not diagnosed early, the challenges faced by the child can increase over time. Their struggles with listening, reading, and communication might make academics more stressful. They may start feeling frustrated, anxious, or even develop low self-esteem because they cannot understand sounds the way others do.
The longer APD goes undiagnosed, the harder it becomes to manage its effects. Early intervention allows specialists like speech language pathologists to provide speech and auditory therapies, helping the child develop skills to process sounds better.
Conclusion
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can make it hard for kids to understand and thus socialize, affecting their daily and academic lives. This blog explained key signs showing when to see a specialist.
Getting an early diagnosis of APD increases the chances of effective intervention, helping children develop better listening and communication skills. Early intervention has proven to be helpful for children with APD to receive the support they need. Speech therapy plays a big role here by teaching kids to process sounds better, making communication easier.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait—reach out to expert speech and language pathologists (SLPs) at Kick Start Therapy. We offer personalized speech therapy and assessments to support kids with APD, helping them be better at academics and daily life.
FAQs
What is the Best Treatment for Auditory Processing Disorder?
The best treatment for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) often combines therapies tailored to the person. Speech therapy helps improve listening skills, while auditory processing
training teaches the brain to process sounds better. Environmental changes, like using quiet spaces, also help. Working with specialists ensures the plan fits the individual’s needs for better results.
Does Auditory Processing Disorder Make You Neurodivergent?
Yes, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is considered a neurodivergent condition. It affects how the brain processes sounds, which is different from typical brain functioning. People with APD may struggle with understanding speech or following conversations, placing them under the neurodivergent umbrella alongside conditions like ADHD or autism, as their brain works uniquely.
How Do You Treat APD?
Treating APD involves speech therapy to improve listening skills and auditory training to help the brain process sounds. Creating quiet environments and using visual aids also helps. Specialists may suggest personalized strategies, and early intervention ensures better outcomes, especially for kids struggling with communication.
What are the Symptoms of APD in Adults?
Adults with APD may struggle to hear in noisy places, like a classroom or public gatherings, and often ask people to repeat themselves. They might find it hard to follow long conversations, feel distracted by background sounds, or have trouble remembering spoken instructions.
Is APD a Form of Autism?
No, APD is not a form of autism, but they can overlap. APD affects how the brain processes sounds, while autism involves broader social, communication, and behavioral differences. Some autistic people may have APD, but they are separate conditions. Our specialists at Kick Start Therapy provide the right support for both conditions.
What are the Triggers of Auditory Processing Disorder?
APD can be triggered by factors like head injuries, ear infections, premature birth, or other underlying conditions, such as learning disabilities, ADHD, or Autism, which affect brain development. Genetics may play a role if it runs in families. Loud environments, like busy classrooms, can worsen symptoms. Aging or neurological conditions like stroke can also trigger APD in adults, making sound processing harder.