Education.com

Auditory Processing Disorders: By Age Group

National Center for Learning Disabilities

What you should know about auditory processing disorders:

  • Auditory processing disorders are often referred to as central auditory processing disorders (CAPD)
  • Auditory processing disorders can occur without any kind of hearing loss
  • Auditory processing disorders affect how the brain perceives and processes what the ear hears
  • Like all learning disabilities, auditory processing disorders can be a lifelong challenge
  • Many of the difficulties that are experienced by people with auditory processing disorders are also common to people with attention deficit disorders
  • Auditory processing disorders may run in families
  • Auditory processing disorders can affect a person's ability to interact socially
  • There are different types of auditory processing disorders, each affecting different aspects of auditory information processing - see "Auditory Processing Disorders in Detail" for more information

Auditory Processing Disorders at Different Ages

Many people experience problems with learning and behavior from time to time, but if a person consistently displays difficulties with these tasks over time, testing for auditory processing disorders by trained professionals should be considered.

Early Childhood

Common difficulties include:
  • Learning to speak
  • Understanding spoken language
  • Separating meaningful sounds from background noise
  • Remembering stories or songs
  • Staying focused on a person's voice
  • Unusual sensitivity to noise
  • Confusing similar sounding words
  • Difficulty in understanding speech.
Accommodation and modification strategies:
  • Keep directions simple - only tell your child one step at a time
  • Give directions both orally and visually - show your child what you mean
  • Speak slowly - especially when your child is hearing information for the first time
  • Maintain eye contact while speaking
  • Limit background noise when teaching new information or giving directions
  • Provide specific opportunities to practice skills that build vocabulary, rhyming, segmenting and blending words.
View Full Article

Add your own comment

Ask a Question

Have questions about this article or topic? Ask
Ask
150 Characters allowed

Today on Education.com

WE'VE GOT A GREAT ROUND-UP OF ACTIVITIES PERFECT FOR LONG WEEKENDS, STAYCATIONS, VACATIONS ... OR JUST SOME GOOD OLD-FASHIONED FUN!

We've got a great round-up of activities perfect for long weekends, staycations, vacations ... or just some good old-fashioned fun! Get Outside! 10 Playful Activities