What To Look for When Testing Your Kid or Teen for Auditory Processing Disorder
Testing your child or teenager for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)? You have a few clues to look out for. These APD signs and symptoms can vary. It can be as logical as their response to your spoken instructions. It can be their frequent asking for you to repeat those instructions. It can be as worrying as struggling with reading and spelling. Or, it can be something that with both emotional and social implications. Difficulty expressing thoughts and ideas is another sign of APD. Trouble following conversations or directions, and doing poorly in school, are other symptoms.
If you notice these signs, seek help from professional audiological services. Choose an audiologist specializing in APD testing (and pediatric audiology for your child). They can help you identify and address potential auditory processing challenges early on. They can develop strategies for your child’s success in academic and social settings.
What Causes Auditory Processing Disorder in Kids and Teenagers?
APD can have various causes in children and teenagers. One potential cause is genetics. Also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), APD can run in families. Children may inherit a predisposition to the disorder. This makes them more susceptible to developing it.
Another cause can be ear infections. Ear infections affect the transmission of sound to the brain. They can impact a child’s ability to process auditory information. Children who have had chronic ear infections may be at a higher risk for APD. Children with issues affecting the middle ear like mild hearing loss may likely get APD.
A third cause can be trauma. Head injuries, such as concussions, can also lead to auditory processing difficulties. Environmental factors are another cause. Exposure to loud noises or prolonged high-volume headphone use are common examples. These may contribute to the development of auditory processing disorder.
Parents and caregivers need to be aware of these potential causes. That way, they can seek early intervention.
How Auditory Processing Disorder Causes Reading and Spelling, and Learning Difficulties in Kids and Teens
Auditory processing disorder can impact a child or teen’s ability to read, spell, and learn. APD affects the way the brain processes and interprets the sounds of language.
Kids with APD symptoms may struggle to distinguish between similar sounds. Being unable to distinguish between “b” and “d,” can lead to difficulties. These can also lead to difficulties decoding words and phonics-based spelling. Children with APD will also have trouble following instructions or understanding spoken information. This impacts their comprehension and learning in the classroom. In addition, auditory processing disorder can make recognizing and remembering sight words challenging. Thus, further hindering their reading and spelling abilities.
These difficulties can be frustrating. They can lead to a lack of confidence, especially in academic settings. That’s why you need to recognize auditory processing disorder as soon as possible. That way, you can provide the necessary support and mediation. By doing so, they can overcome the challenges in their reading and learning endeavors.
Signs and Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory processing disorder can be identified from a variety of signs and symptoms. Some common symptoms of APD include the following:
- Difficulty following spoken instructions or conversations
- Difficulty understanding speech or conversations in noisy environments
- Difficulty processing and remembering spoken information
- Difficulty with auditory discrimination and auditory sequencing
- Difficulty with reading, spelling, and writing
- Difficulty recognizing and remembering auditory patterns and rhythms
- Difficulty with auditory processing of non-verbal sounds (e.g., music, background noise, and environmental sounds)
- Difficulty with auditory memory and recall
- Trouble with word retrieval and verbal expression
- Trouble with phonemic awareness and phonics (sound-letter correspondence)
- Trouble with understanding jokes and figurative language (e.g., idioms, metaphors)
- Mishearing or misunderstanding words or phrases
- Delayed speech and language development
- Problems with auditory attention and concentration
- Sensitivity to loud or sudden noises
Other signs include difficulty processing non-verbal auditory stimuli like music or environmental sounds. Poor listening skills and trouble with auditory memory are two more signs of APD. Difficulty with language comprehension is another sign of auditory processing disorder.
If you think your child may have these symptoms, seek professional evaluation at once. Early detection and intervention are essential.
Is There a Way To Treat a Child or Teenager Suffering From Auditory Processing Disorder?
Children and teenagers with APD can benefit from a variety of treatment options. The most popular approach is auditory training. This treatment involves exercises and activities to improve their auditory processing skills. More advanced versions improve the ability to process sounds and understand auditory information.
Speech-language therapy is another treatment that can be very helpful. It is particularly effective as it focuses on developing language and communication skills.
Another optional treatment is the use of assistive listening devices. While we emphasize that this is optional, assistive listening devices are beneficial. They can help your child better hear and understand speech in noisy environments.
Classroom accommodations can make a significant difference. Examples of this are preferential seating and providing visual aids. Parents and educators need to work with audiologists to develop individual treatment plans. They need to address the specific needs of each child with APD. Children and teenagers with APD can learn to better manage their symptoms. With the right kind of support, they can improve their overall communication abilities.
Here’s Why Professional Audiological Services Helps With Giving Your Kid or Teen the Right Treatment
Want to ensure your kid gets the right treatment? Seeking help from professional audiological services. This checklist can help you identify the symptoms of APD. But for proper evaluation and treatment, you’ll need the professionals.
Choose an audiologist who specializes in auditory processing disorder. An APD specialist with the expertise to accurately diagnose your child. Qualified to create a personalized treatment plan for your child. With professional help, you can get the right treatment for your child. You can get the support they need to thrive in school and daily life. Additionally, your audiologist can help you understand your child’s condition. They can offer guidance on how to best support your kids or teenagers.
If you suspect that your child may be struggling with APD, seek professional help as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Click on this link to get in touch with professional audiological services today.
