Auditory Processing Difficulties Can Lead To Future Problems
December 2nd, 2008

Life can be tough, especially when it comes to kids. With all the things that need to be remembered and new things to learn, it is easy for a child to become distracted to the point of having difficulties in school. It is easy to assume that a child with an auditory processing disorder has trouble with hearing. This is not the case; the difficulties pertaining to central auditory processing disorder (also called CAPD), are with the cooperation between the brain and the ears. Not hearing difficulties, per say.

At times, it may be hard to detect CAPD, as the symptoms may vary from person to person, as well as the severity. There are signs however, that may lead to a conclusion of this disorder. If the child is easily bothered by loud and abrupt noises, or can be distracted quickly, then these are early signs. There are possible environments that may disturb your child. It is a possibility that the child's behavior can improve in more calm and soothing settings. The child may have problems following directions, no matter the level of difficulty. They may have trouble with speech, language problems or difficulties in reading and or writing. They may have trouble comprehending abstract information. Written math problems may not be the only trouble, they may have problems with the simplest of oral math questions, as well. The child could easily get lost in conversation, and not be able to follow the flow. There also may be an issue with disorganization and or forgetfulness. Many of these symptoms can be a direct result of CAPD. Having this disorder can easily be misconstrued as a learning disability, such as ADHD. Sometimes it can be assumed the child is depressed. Many times however, it is true that the disorder is indeed cohabitation with another disorder in the child.

The speculation of the direct causes of this disorder, involve the possibilities of chronic ear infections, lead poisoning, and or head traumas. There are many unknown causes that can set this disorder up. Every child has to be assessed under individual basis, as each case is as different as the children themselves. The best way to determine whether your child has CAPD is to take them to an Audiologist. There are other specialists that can determine whether this may indeed be a condition with your Child, such as a speech and language pathologist. The pathologist can get reads off your child by interaction, where as the audiologist will run auditory processing tests. Normally it is not completely apparent that the child is afflicted with CAPD until they are at least eight or nine years of age. This is when most audiologists see patients, and to test children for this disorder. The brain of a young child, such eight or nine year olds cannot process information quickly anyways, so it is possible for this child as they grow to develop better skills.

It is recommended for children with CAPD to have annual checkups with the audiologist for evaluation. This will ensure that the primary areas of trouble in home life and school settings can be worked on. These main areas include, troubles with attention and noisy classroom settings. This is known as Auditory Figure Ground Problems. This shows as having continual problems with memory, including short term and long term. This may be an immediate or delayed response effect, otherwise known as Auditory memory problems. Often associated with CAPD, is the lack of deciphering the difference between sounds, and having trouble making out particular words. These difficulties can directly affect the difference between words such as boat and coat. It gives the individual problems in most basic writing, reading, and spelling skills. This is known as Auditory discrimination. Staying in their seat and having focus on what is going on around them will other major issues. It will impede on their ability to complete tasks that are required of them. Many times this is thought to be ADD or ADHD however, it is known as Auditory attention. Lastly, picking up on the small things such as jokes or riddles will be greatly reduced as well as trouble understanding common conversations will be a task in itself. The inability to comprehend even the most simple of language issues is known as Auditory cohesion problems

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