I am a Primary School teacher and I teach a boisterous year 2 class.  A parent has recently approached me and told me that their child has been diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder.  I am looking to find out what this is and how I can help him in class?

Children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) are unable to process information that they hear in the same way that other children can.  This can often seem like they are unable to hear properly.  It can cause them to have difficulty understanding speech and distinguishing between different sounds.   Children who have APD have no problem with the initial stages of hearing as the sound waves enter the ear canal, pass through the middle and inner ear normally and successfully travel to the brain.  However, this is where the problem occurs.  The child’s brain has problems processing the information and thus is unable to interpret the sound they have heard.

 

Symptoms of APD:

  • Difficulty understanding speech especially in noisy environments e.g. a classroom, shopping centre
  • Trouble concentrating on work/focusing on tasks, e.g. reading, when in noisy environment
  • Difficulty understanding and remembering instructions
  • May have unclear speech
  • Can be slow to develop reading skills
All of these symptoms can also be present in hearing conditions such as Glue Ear.  However, a hearing test will indicate no hearing impairment if the child has APD.

Treatment for APD:

There is no cure for APD and no medication to help the symptoms.  However, there are strategies that can help improve the difficulties children have.  A speech and language therapist can deliver a program of intervention which can, for example, improve the child’s listening and concentration skills.  Regular practice is essential so the therapist may leave exercises for parents or schools to do with the child.
 

What can be done to support a child with APD at school:

  • The child should be sat towards the front of the classroom
  • Teachers should frequently check that the child is listening
  • Verbal instructions should be backed up with symbols, pictures or text.  This could be written on the board or pictures cards could be used for more frequently used instructions
  • Background noise should be kept to a minimum e.g. make sure the class in silent when explaining something or giving instructions, no music playing.
  • For more complex requests you can ask the child to repeat back what you have said.
For many children APD improves as they get older however it is still essential to give them as much support as possible in order for them to develop coping strategies into there everyday life.
Integrated Treatment Services (I.T.S) has a team of experienced Speech and Language Therapists who can meet with you to explain exactly what can be done to support your child.  A therapist will even visit your child at school to work with class teachers to determine what your child’s needs are.
To contact I.T.S you can call us on: 0845 838 2921 or email: info@integratedtreatments.co.uk.

 
If you have found this article helpful and have more questions then you can contact us with ideas for topics you would like us to cover in future blogs by simply clicking ‘Ask us a Question’.

September 2013

Laura Oldakowska

Speech and Language Therapist

© SXC.hu: Image Credit: djeyewater – CC Licensed

 


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