Auditory Processing Disorder
Created | Updated Aug 11, 2006
This is a copy of an APDUK handout, which tries to provide a brief description of Auditory Processing Disorder. ( The handout is taken from the APDUK web site at http://www.apduk.org )
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What is Auditory Processing Disorder
(a brief description)
For many of the Invisible Disabilities the causes are similar in nature, (a faulty link in the human processing system, for dyslexics it is the visual processor that is faulty, with APDs it is the auditory processor) the disabilities can be very different. Some of the symptoms are also shared. Sufferers of both may have problems in reading and writing, but for very different reasons.
APDs have an Auditory (verbal) Processing Disorder, and text is only verbal code.
So the Auditory Processing Disorder is extended to reading and writing this Auditory code.
Most APDs have random Auditory Processing Disorder.
I use the word random because we cannot control when we process auditory information and when we do not. (Like a loose connection in a faulty computer processor it fails when you least expect it to).
When APDs have a processing failure, they do not process what is being said to them.
They may be able to repeat the words back word for word, but the meaning of the message is lost, not processed. Simply repeating the instruction is of no use if an APD is not processing, neither will increasing the volume help.
APDs are normally not deaf, in fact most APDs have A1 hearing, they just do not process what they hear. They may process part of what they hear but, without processing the rest, often the whole meaning is lost, or they perceive a totally incorrect idea of what has been said.
Some APDS are easily distracted by background noise and / or unexpected noises.
This disrupts their processing strategies, and in many instances means that they have to go back to the beginning to understand what they are trying to do. Especially working with a conceptual subject such as Maths.
APDs are unlikely to participate in debates unless they have had time to prepare their case. APDs will process a discussion, as it unfolds, and may not fully understand the discussion there and then, but they may be able to fill in the gaps later.
Eventually they may have a better understanding of the topic than the actual participants, when they have finally processed the information.
Coping Strategies for APDs, are developed on individual life experiences.
This is because the strategies have to work in, and be stored in the limited space of the Short Term Memory. (In computer terms, these strategies take up a great deal of RAM).
So APDs develop and select strategies they need to cope with their own life challenges, some are rejected or forgotten if not used. New strategies are always being developed. Unfortunately some of the newer strategies may by- pass an existing strategy, and so this useful strategy may need to be re- linked into the system.
Hence APDs can perform a specific task on one day perfectly, but struggle on a later day.
Many APDs develop an alternative way of thinking to cope with their disability.
So if the Auditory function is faulty, Humans try to develop their visual and other communication skills. Used by our ancestors before we developed the skills of speech. Some become Visual Spatial Learners, using visual (pictorial) methods of thinking and learning.
Some use back up strategies, such as lip-reading, body language, and eye contact. (The later two can become confusing as people say one thing with their body language (truth), and something else with their verbal communication (not quite the truth)).
There are also many hidden implications.
APDs may find groups of more than 3 or 4 people threatening as they unable not process multiple auditory (verbal) input.
APDs find following social interaction difficult especially with new people, and those with good adversarial debating skills.
APDs who have a high IQ are more difficult to diagnose, as they are very good at developing their own coping strategies.
APDs really find life difficult to cope with when leaving the relative safe confines of the education system if they have not come to terms with their disability and how best to cope with it. They can become very isolated.
APD, as with Dyslexia and other Invisible Disabilities, is for life.
APD cannot be cured.
APD sufferers can learn to cope with their disability with the correct diagnosis, remediation and strategies.
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APDUK (Auditory Processing Disorder in the UK) is a new voluntary organisation, which is seeking Registered Charity Status.
We have recently been actively lobbying the Institute of Hearing Research at the Medical Research Council to carry out a program of research into Tests for diagnosis and care of APD in the United Kingdom. And we have also had some useful contact with Audiologists at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
To improve the availability of information regarding APD in the UK, we have created some useful links pages on our web site.
UK Professionals and Institutions with an Interest in APD
http://members.tripod.com/dolfrog/professionals_page.htm
Which links to research papers from UK universities and institutions, and those professionals who have an interest in APD.
International Information Pages and Forums
http://members.tripod.com/dolfrog/international_page.htm
Which links to research from abroad relating to APD, mainly sourced from Australia and the USA. The “Auditory processing disorder: An overview for the clinician” amongst other things explains why it is now called Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), rather than Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). There are also links to the APD diagnostic Tests developed in the USA, which due to differences in language do not effectively transpose to the UK.
Links to Related Invisible Disabilities
http://members.tripod.com/dolfrog/related_disablities.htm
APD is one of many Invisible Disabilities. Many sufferers of APD have a package of invisible disabilities, many of which can mask APD and hinder the identification and diagnosis of APD.
Parent's (C)APD Web sites and Web pages
http://members.tripod.com/dolfrog/parents_links.htm
Initially much of the information available on the Internet regarding APD came from web sites created by parents seeking help for their own children who had been diagnosed with (C)APD. This page has links to the most informative web sites
Ideas to be Considered Prior to Creating an IEP for an APD
http://members.tripod.com/dolfrog/iep_page.htm
This handout was created to help parents explain to teachers the issues being faced by their children who have APD.
UK Disability and Educational Links
http://members.tripod.com/dolfrog/uk_education.htm
If you have a child who has an invisible disability, you need to know who to contact for help when advocating for your child in the UK Education System.
