Learning Disabilities: Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is also or better known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder.
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The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association defines Auditory Processing Disorder as follows:
In its very broadest sense, APD refers to how the central nervous system (CNS) uses auditory information. However, the CNS is vast and also is responsible for functions such as memory, attention, and language, among others. To avoid confusing APD with other disorders that can affect a person's ability to attend, understand, and remember, it is important to emphasize that APD is an auditory deficit that is not the result of other higher-order cognitive, language, or related disorder.
...Instead, it is the attention deficit that is impeding their ability to access or use the auditory information that is coming in.
In short APD is a hinderness in the auditory system to process any sound coming into the auditory channel.
This image might help you understand some more:
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What to look out for by age group? (SIGNS)
The Understood Team went and divided the signs and symptoms for APD into different categories:
1. Preschooler
2. Grade Schooler
3. Middle Schooler
4. High Schooler
How can we, as teachers, accomodate these learners in our classes?
- Create a safe environment for these children to ask questions.
- Allow them to ask questions like "Can I have more time to think?" etc.
- Allow the student the opportunity to use signals, cues, cards etc if it allows them to feel more at home.
- Let the student repeat the question or information to make sure that they have understood what was asked of them.
- Use visuals when teaching.
- Seat these students in the optimal space in the class. (Where they can use the visuals the best, here the best, see the teacher the best)
- When possible use one-one instructions or group participation. (Small groupwork)
- Allow additional time after a question has been asked or repeated.
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Resources
https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Understanding-Auditory-Processing-Disorders-in-Children/
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/central-auditory.html
http://thespeechroomnews.com/2013/02/february-feature-auditory-processing.html
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So true thank you for sharing.
What a wonderful job on your article on auditory processing disorder! It is so important that parents, teachers and all others understand all the different disabilities that challenge children and adults. Knowledge is so powerful! Great job!!