Auditory Processing Difficulties
Up to twelve percent of children have diagnosed or undiagnosed auditory processing disorder, a condition that inhibits the brain’s ability to translate and process sound
- It is NOT a hearing problem
- This has a detrimental effect on pupils’ ability to learn as there are problems with:
- Paying attention to and remembering information presented orally
- Carrying out multi-step directions
- Listening skills
- Processing information
- General behaviour
- Reading, comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary present a considerable challenge
How to help
- There is a misconception that it is only necessarily make the classroom more acoustically friendly, provide personal listening device and all in well. This is not the case it is a far more complex entity
Although there are general strategies for helping a child with APD the problem needs a more personalized approach
Auditory actions can help and support pupils with APD by
Identifying which type of APD as there are four subtypes
Providing suitable remedial strategies
Advice and programmes to class