Auditory Processing
WHAT IS AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER (APD)?
Auditory Processing Disorder, also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), affects an individual’s ability to retain or process what they hear. APD is a disorder where the ears and brain have difficulty coordinating so the child struggles to understand what they hear in the same way that their peers do. The condition is often worse in noisy environments like auditoriums, classrooms, playgrounds, sporting events, school cafeterias, parties, and restaurants. While the cause is unknown, APD affects three to five percent of school-aged children and is diagnosed by an audiologist.
What Are Some Of The Symptoms Of Auditory Processing Disorder?
Though an auditory processing disorder can be different for each child, characteristics may include any of the following:
Reading acquisition is slow
Important concepts and foundational skills are missing related to reading, math and sounds-acquisition
Sounds and words are misinterpreted
Following verbal directions is inaccurate
Conversations might seem to be hard to follow
Noisy environments often overwhelm the child
Spelling and phonics are difficult
Similarities or differences in words are difficult to identify (e.g rhyming words, words that start or end with the same sounds, or words/sounds that are different)
Memory skills are weak
Sounds within words or words within phrases is lacking sequential order
Maintaining attention is limited, easily distracted
Detecting subtle changes in tone is weak
How Can ETLC Help?
At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center, our specialists work with your child one-on-one to identify possible language and speech deficits caused by an Auditory Processing Disorder. Our treatment programs can improve your child’s ability to follow directions, interpret and use sounds and words, spell and read accurately, comprehend the information given to your child verbally, and express your child in an organized manner. Initially, the student will learn important language, speech, phonological awareness, and reading strategies in a quiet one-on-one environment. As your child begins to master the target skills in the quiet room, background noise is added to allow him to practice those same skills in an environment where he must learn to decipher sounds and words. This will help the student generalize his skills into his natural environment, where he needs to process information even when background noise is present.
The auditory processing system is not fully developed until the age of 14, so early intervention is necessary because much of the foundational speech, language, and literacy skills are acquired by that age.
How Do I Get Started?
1. Schedule a consultation
2. Receive an individualized plan
3. Watch your child thrive
Why Choose ETLC?
Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center provides an individualized program to target the skills that can help bridge the gap between frustration and success. We believe every child deserves to thrive with their communication and academic skills, and we know you want that too. Our specialists are trained in many research-based programs and strategies to create a plan specific to your child and their unique learning style. Together, we can help your child feel confident and successful!