Learning Disabilities - Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Processing Disorder

Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is an impaired ability to recognize and comprehend auditory information. People with this disorder may have problems following directions and processing or comprehending information they hear. Environments with acoustic problems or background noise may exacerbate the problem. The concept of CAPD is often difficult for educators and parents to understand. In a sense, a child with normal hearing and a central auditory processing disorder is comparable to a child with normal vision and a reading disorder. Vision acuity, or seeing, is good but the mind has a problem making use of the input from the eyes. For reasons not well understood, organizing the abstract symbols of letters and words is a problem for a child with a reading disorder. Children with CAPD have a similar problems comprehending speech. The sensory system (in this case the ear) that brings speech into the body is working properly, but the parts of the brain which analyze and interpret the sensory information are not. This problem becomes more apparent in poorer listening environments such as open classrooms and background noise. A child may not show the problem until he or she enters school.

Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder

Central auditory processing disorder is considered a language and learning disorder. It is associated with hearing problems and/ or cognitive problems. Symptoms include but are not limited to: needing TV’s and radios louder than normal, interpreting words too literally, problems understanding rapid conversation, confusing similar sounding words, poor memorization, need to watch person speaking to understand, asking excessive number of questions, difficulty following directions, is easily distracted, has trouble sounding out words, and asks people to repeat phrases often. The typical behavior of children who may be afflicted with CAPD include:

Frequently misunderstands oral instructions or questions
Delays in responding to oral instructions or questions
Says "Huh" or "What" frequently
Frequently needs repetition of directions or information
Frequently needs requests repetition
Has problems understanding in background noise
Is easily distracted by background noise
May have problems with phonics or discriminating speech sounds
May have poor expressive or receptive language
May have spelling, reading, and other academic problems
May have behavioral problems

Many of these signs are normal parts of child development. Just because you recognize one of these behaviors in your child does not mean that he or she has CAPD. However, if he or she displays more than four, you may wish to consult a learning disability expert either through your school or pediatrician to do some testing and find out what is going on. Some of these behaviors can be explained by a middle ear problem such as fluid in the ear. However, it is important for parents not to withhold information hoping for an easier diagnosis. As difficult as it might be to face the reality of a child with a learning disability, the more head on you face the problem, the less of a problem it will be for your child.