Auditory Processing Disorder &
Central Auditory Processing Disorder
Students with APD or CAPD cannot process the information they hear in the same way as others because their ears and brain do not fully coordinate. Something adversely affects the way the brain recognizes and interprets sounds, most notably the sounds composing speech.
Students with APD often do not recognize subtle differences between sounds in words, even when the sounds are loud and clear enough to be heard. This is especially a problem where there is more background noise – the sounds found in any normal classroom.
Students who are easily distracted or unusually bothered by loud or sudden noises could be suffering from APD, though they are often misdiagnosed with ADHD. These students’ behaviors and performances often improve dramatically in quiet settings. Difficulty following spoken directions is also a symptom of APD. These students have difficulty with reading, spelling, writing, or other language-based activities. APD or CAPD is often a misunderstood condition which may lead to the proper teaching methods not being used to appropriately help these students.
The most important factor to consider when teaching students with APD is to use multiple methods of disseminating information. Talking alone will not be successful; it must be accompanied with various visuals.
Students with APD often do not recognize subtle differences between sounds in words, even when the sounds are loud and clear enough to be heard. This is especially a problem where there is more background noise – the sounds found in any normal classroom.
Students who are easily distracted or unusually bothered by loud or sudden noises could be suffering from APD, though they are often misdiagnosed with ADHD. These students’ behaviors and performances often improve dramatically in quiet settings. Difficulty following spoken directions is also a symptom of APD. These students have difficulty with reading, spelling, writing, or other language-based activities. APD or CAPD is often a misunderstood condition which may lead to the proper teaching methods not being used to appropriately help these students.
The most important factor to consider when teaching students with APD is to use multiple methods of disseminating information. Talking alone will not be successful; it must be accompanied with various visuals.
