Assesses how the brain processes auditory information
An Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a deficit in the brain’s ability to understand and use sound information correctly; hearing levels are usually within the normal range.
Management of Auditory Processing Disorder involves a team approach and can be separated into three areas:
Environmental Modifications
- Encompasses changing the learning or communication environment to improve your child's access to auditory information. This includes preferential seating in the classroom or use of electronic devices such as FM systems.
Direct Intervention
- These are techniques/exercises designed to improve auditory processing skills by remediating the specific disorder/s that have been identified through the assessment process. There are many such intervention programs, run by a variety of professionals. One example, the "Fast ForWord" program typically run by a speech and language pathologist.
Compensatory Strategies
- These are strategies that can be useful in enabling the child to cope with daily listening activities by overcoming potential problems and disruptions to active listening and auditory processing.
The amount and rate of improvement in auditory processing ability as a result of intervention and management is variable. However, with appropriate management, almost all children will demonstrate some gains, allowing them greater access to the world of sound, speech, and language.