Auditory Processing Disorders

Description

A brief review of Auditory Processing Disorders (formerly called Central Auditory Processing Disorder)

Over the past few years there has been growing professional and public awareness of Auditory Processing Disorders (APD), also referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorders. This has created some confusion on how to define APD and, once diagnosed, how to manage the disorder.

What is APD?

APD is a term for how the central nervous system uses auditory information. APD can adversely affect an array of skills: academic achievement, communication success and social success. However, APD should not be confused with other disorders that can affect a child's memory, attention and language skills. APD is an auditory deficit that is not related to other higher-order cognitive, language, or related disorders.

How is APD different from other communication disorders?

APD is not a hearing loss.
APD is not a problem of poor attention in the classroom.
APD is not a language learning problem or due to more global nervous system problems including mental retardation or autism.

APD may co-exist with attention deficit disorder (ADD), sensory integration dysfunction, and other language learning problems. Careful diagnosis of all these disorders can assist in detangling the effect each has on a child with these complaints. Go to www.asha.org for more information about hearing loss, ADD, and language learning problems.

What can be done for a child with APD?

If APD is suspected in a child, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended given its complexity. Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) participate on the team that includes teachers, parents, physicians, and psychologists.

This team approach is critical to fully assess, understand, and manage the cluster of problems exhibited by children with APD. The team provides valuable information on the child's overall areas of strength and weakness. The actual diagnosis of APD must be made by an audiologist. Audiologists have the diagnostic tools available to correctly assess the key elements of APD. Both electrophysical and behavioral measures are employed in a test battery.

Speech-language pathologists are involved in the assessment and treatment of children with APD. Children with APD may have difficulty processing discrete sounds or whole words or phrases. These children often miss parts of messages or misunderstand information. Children with APD may require intervention that involves the use of compensatory strategies such as preferred seating, assistance with note taking and/or direct intervention to assist with phonemic awareness and language processing. SLPs tailor treatment to assist the child in comprehending spoken language.

What resources are available about APD?

To access a compilation of more than 80 ASHA audiology practice and policy documents including the 1996 Task Force Report on Central Auditory Processing Consensus Development (currently being updated), a 20 page annotated bibliography, educational guidelines, and multicultural issues related to APD, go to www.asha.org (enter “Auditory processing disorders” as the search topic).

Exploring APD in greater depth:

ASHA has two Special Interest Divisions that focus on children with communication and educational disorders. Recent newsletters from these divisions present some of the basic issues surrounding measuring and treating children with auditory processing disorders. Call ASHA Product Sales at 888-498-6699 to order:

“Considerations in diagnosing Auditory Processing Disorders in School-Aged Children” (item #0611600)
“Assess Information Processing Skills in Children and Adults Following TBI or With Learning Disabilities” (item #0500307)
An online task force report (74 pages) developed by educational audiologists for the Florida State Board of Education includes a review of the literature, controversial issues, modifications to improve classroom acoustics, management tips for parents and teachers, and other educational resources. (See Florida State Board of Education Task Report)

How can I find a certified audiologist or speech-language pathologist?

ProServ is an online directory for more than 4, 000 programs or professional service providers (SLP/AUD) who hold the CCC from ASHA.

Originally published in the Autumn 2003 edition of Developmental and Behavioral News, Published by the AAP Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics