Auditory Processing Disorder

·   Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Have you ever encountered a child who, to say the least is termed as disobedient or a failure academically because they just can’t seem to understand anything? Have you ever encountered an older child who, like a toddler, keeps on requesting you to repeat something you tell them, over and over again, till you get annoyed? It could be also that such children fail to understand verbal instructions within a class setting and it has become a norm to them to be last in class. Well, their problem may be something deeper than just what is ordinarily seen. Such a child could be suffering from Auditory Processing Disorder, also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder.

Auditory Processing Disorder refers to a variety of disorders that affect the way the brain processes auditory information. Individuals with APD usually do not recognize subtle differences between sounds in words, even when the sounds are loud and clear enough to be heard. They can also find it difficult to tell where sounds are coming from, to make sense of the order of sounds, or to block out competing background noises. According to Action on Hearing Loss, as many as one in 10 children could have some level of auditory processing disorder.

Causes of APD in Children

The children, auditory processing disorder may be caused by:

• Glue ear- a common childhood condition in which the middle ear becomes filled with fluid 
• a severe illness at birth, such as bacterial meningitis  
• a head trauma
• Lead poisoning
• Ear Infection
• epilepsy
• a stroke
• a genetic defect (it sometimes runs in families)

Signs and Symptoms of APD

According to medicine.net, the following are signs and symptoms of APD:

• Has difficulty processing and remembering language-related tasks but may have no trouble interpreting or recalling non-verbal environmental sounds, music, etc.
• May process thoughts and ideas slowly and have difficulty explaining them
• Misspells and mispronounces similar-sounding words or omits syllables; confuses similar-sounding words (celery/salary; belt/built; three/free; jab/job; bash/batch)
• May be confused by figurative language (metaphor, similes) or misunderstand puns and jokes; interprets words too literally
• Often is distracted by background sounds/noises
• Finds it difficult to stay focused on or remember a verbal presentation or lecture
• May misinterpret or have difficulty remembering oral directions; difficulty following directions in a series
• Difficulty following directions, whether simple or complicated
  
• Has difficulty comprehending complex sentence structure or rapid speech
• “Ignores” people, especially if engrossed
• Difficulty following conversations
• Says “What?” a lot, even when has heard much of what was said
• Behavior and performance tends to improve in quieter settings

PS: APD is often misunderstood because many of the behaviors noted above also can accompany other problems, like learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and even depression.

Helping Your Child

According to Dr. Thierry Morlet and www.nhs.uk , strategies applied at home and school can ease some of the problem behaviors associated with APD. Kids with APD often have trouble following directions, so these suggestions may help:

• Show rather than explain
• Supplement with more intact senses (use visual cues, signals, handouts, manipulatives)
• Reduce or space directions, give cues such as “ready?”
• Reward or help decipher confusing oral and/or written directions
• Vary pitch and tone of voice, alter pace, stress key words
• Ask specific questions as you teach to find out if they do understand
• Allow them 5-6 seconds to respond (“think time”)
• Reduce background noise whenever possible at home and at school.
• Have your child look at you when you're speaking.
• Use simple, expressive sentences.
• Speak at a slightly slower rate and at a mildly increased volume.
• Ask your child to repeat the directions back to you and to keep repeating them aloud (to you or to himself or herself) until the directions are completed.
• For directions that are to be completed later, writing notes, wearing a watch, or maintaining a household routine can help.
• It can be frustrating for kids with APD when they're in a noisy setting and they need to listen. Teach your child to notice noisy environments and move to quieter places when listening is necessary.
• Provide your child with a quiet study place (not the kitchen table).
  
• Maintain a peaceful, organized lifestyle.
• Encourage good eating and sleeping habits.
• Assign regular and realistic chores, including keeping a neat room and desk.
• Build your child's self-esteem.

We hope that this article has been enlightening to you. For further assistance on how t help such children, please feel free to contact us at the Nairobi Parenting Clinic LTD. 

References:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/auditory-processing-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/auditory-processing-disorder/

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/understanding_depression.html

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/learning/adhd.html