Auditory Processing Disorders- General Overview Definition of Auditory Processing Disorder- Central auditory processing disorders are deficits in the information processing of audible signals not attributed to impaired hearing sensitivity or intellectual impairment. Further- ... CAPD refers to limitations in the ongoing transmissions, analysis, and use of information contained in auditory signals. Simply stated CAPD involves what we do with what we hear. Skill Areas associated with Auditory Processing Auditory Memory- The ability to recall auditory sequences immediately and long term.Auditory Discrimination- The ability to recognize phonemes, same and different. This skill area has implications for spelling, reading, and following directions.Auditory Figure Ground- The ability to listen in background noise.Auditory Cohesion- The ability to organize, interpret, and process on a higher-order level. This skill is contingent upon the development of lower-level processing skills. This skill involves the comprehension and action upon more complex linguistic structures.Auditory attention- the ability to maintain auditory focus over an extended period of time. Other facts about auditory processing skillsChildren with autism spectrum disorders have weaker auditory processing skills then their typical peersAuditory processing skills improve along a developmental trajectoryIn pure processing disorders hearing acuity is normalOther neurological difficulties can cause an auditory processing disorders (i.e.: brain tumor, chronic ear infections, brain trauma/injury, lead poisoning, etc) Auditory Processing and LanguageWeak auditory processing skills can adversely affect...· the understanding and use (receptive and expressive) of language· phonological development· receptive and expressive vocabulary skills· the use and understanding of linguistic/grammatical structures· difficulties with social/peer relationships CAPD and Learning Disabilities, ADHD and Dyslexia· any of the above disorders may exist in various combinations in any individual. Classroom Behavioral Characteristics of Children with CAPD· Shows unusual reaction to sudden and/or loud noise· Has problems recalling names, dates, times and so on· Has difficulty associating sound with its source or location (localizing)· Has poor auditory sequential memory for numbers, letters, words and so on· Has difficulty following simple directions· Has difficulty following complex directions· Is easily distracted by auditory stimuli· Performs better in 1:1 settings· Had difficulty listening with background noise· Has very poor musical ability· Sometimes appears confused when auditory stimuli are presented· Has difficulty spelling· Had difficulty with reading decoding· Has difficulty with verbal math problems· Has poor self-esteem· Has difficulty with written expression; handwriting is poor· Has difficulty with directions to be carried out later· Is unorganized; has difficulty with appointments and routines.· Has difficulty with categorizations and associations.· Asks for repetitions of what has been said· Confuses one sound for another, demonstrates "mishears"· Is slow to respond to questions and directions· Gives inappropriate responses to simple questions· Gives inappropriate responses in conversation.· Has articulation errors, or a history of them.
