Auditory Processing Disorder

“A riddle wrapped in a mystery

inside an enigma.”

What is Auditory Processing Disorder?

A term used to describe a wide range of disabilities in which there is some impairment in the brain’s ability to process auditory stimuli and interpret it in a meaningful way.

The IDEA Act defines Auditory Processing disorder as “a

disability that causes problems in comprehending the social and interpersonal content of

language…stemming from the fact that the disability makes it

difficult to separate communication from background noise.”

Some Characteristics

• Difficulty understanding spoken language in competing messages, noisy backgrounds, or reverberant environments

• Difficulty maintaining focus on an activity if other sounds are present

More Characteristics• Misunderstood

messages• Inconsistent or

inappropriate responses• Frequent requests for

repetition• Difficulty with long

conversations or multi-step directions

• Difficulty with reading, spelling or other learning

Incidence

• From 2-3% to 7% of the population• Twice as prevalent in males than in females

• Most widely diagnosed in children and the elderly

Potential Causes• The cause is often unknown, but it could

be – Genetic– Tumor

– Head trauma– Viral infection

– Degenerative disorder– Lead poisoning

– Oxygen deprivation

Accommodations/Modifications/Strategies

Auditory Training

Signal Enhancement Strategies (including

assistive technology and instructional strategies)

Environmental Modifications

Environmental Modifications

• Simple modifications– Installing carpets– Curtains– Seals on doors– Rubber shoes on

doors• Architectural

interventions

Instructional Modifications

• Repetition • Rephrasing• Slowed speech• Shortened speech• Emphasis of key points• Increased response

time• Visual aids• Multimedia

reinforcement

Assistive Technology

Auditory training software Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive Listening Devices• Assistive listening devices are used for hearing

improvement in large area listening situations made more difficult due to noise, distance, and

reverberation.

FM systems The teacher speaks into a microphone which

transmits the sounds to the child’s ear through a receiver the child is wearing.

Auditory Training Software

Earobics

Intended to improve phonological, attention, and memory skills

PHONOMENA

Used to improve auditory discrimination

Geared toward improving auditory and language processing

abilities

Community Resources

•internet communities for parents

•CAPD Parents’ Page

•Adults with CAPD