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Auditory Processing Disorder (APD or CAPD)

(Can be misdiagnosed as ADD – Gary Direnfeld, ADHD, LD, behavioural problems, or emotional disorders – NYU)

Words + Hearing + Understanding = Active Listening

Often we hear people saying how important it is to truly be heard by another person, and that ‘active listening’ is a valued skill. It feels good to know that someone is genuinely listening and hearing what we have to say. Frustration can occur when we feel we are not understood or if we have to continually repeat ourselves.

Imagine if you will what it is like to not recognize or interpret the sounds around you. What if even the most subtle differences in sounds are misunderstood? Now imagine how you might feel if you were a child struggling to not only learn and grow in an often daunting world, but you were also hindered by listening difficulties. This is the life of the child with Auditory Processing Disorder.

Auditory processing is the ability to make sense of and remember spoken words. We have to both hear and understand the words in order for it to have meaning. Listening skills typically develop along with expressive and receptive language. When the brain and ear do not work together, the interpretation or processing of information can be adversely affected – a condition referred to as Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).

The exact cause of APD currently remains a mystery, however similar family hearing difficulties and/or a history of preschool frequent middle ear infections are believed to play a significant role. What is known for certain is that a child’s ability to function in a classroom setting can be negatively influenced by APD. Auditory & visual distractions, surrounding noises in the classroom, distorted or unclear speech, and even monotone speech can negatively affect the listening skills in a child with APD.

Childhood disorders such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), reading and learning disability, language impairment, reduced intellectual functioning and autistic spectrum disorders exhibit behaviors similar to APD. Some evidence does suggest APD and ADHD reflect a single developmental disorder; however recent studies suggest otherwise. Whereas inattentiveness and distractibility are common in both conditions, there are distinct behavioral characteristics between the two.

Another common factor is the risk of low self-esteem, which, if unresolved by pre-adolescence is a major risk factor for drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. If you suspect your child may have APD, there are a number of professionals who can help. Click on the following links and articles for more information.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

LD online – Basic Principles of APD Management

NYU Child Study Center – Changing the Face of Child Mental Health