Auditory Processing Disorder

Dr. Teri James Bellis, PhD, and leading Audiologist in the field of APD, said it best with the title of her book When the Brain Can’t Hear in describing the problem of having normal hearing test results with persistent difficulty hearing. APD affects the way the brain processes spoken language in both children and adults. It can also be described as listening but not taking in the information.

How APD Affects Children

APD affects 5% of school-aged children with normal hearing by causing problems with understanding speech when there is background noise, remembering what they heard, or remembering the order of what they heard. This causes challenges in school and at home and can be difficult to separate from other educational challenges, such as ADD/ADHD, language disorders, or learning disabilities. According to the National Institutes of Health, in children with reported learning difficulties the prevalence of APD has been found to be 43% and co-existing with children who have developmental dyslexia.

COMMON BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN WITH APD:

Difficulty understanding speech when noisy
Difficulty remembering what was heard
Difficulty reading
Misunderstanding what was said
Difficulty following directions
Frequently asking for repetition
Improved understanding with instructions that are written

APD Diagnosis & Treatment

Through comprehensive testing in a sound booth, Dr. Steed can provide a diagnosis specific to your child’s area of auditory deficit(s). Not every child with APD has the same deficit(s) type. With parent input, a customized treatment plan is created for your child that can be implemented at home, in the classroom, and in therapy sessions.

REQUEST AN EVALUATION

Auditory Processing Disorder

How APD Affects Children

COMMON BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN WITH APD:

APD Diagnosis & Treatment

Do you think your child will benefit from an APD evaluation?

(941) 312-4781 • tsteed@adeptaudiology.com • Sarasota, FL