Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD) or

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), also known as an Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), is a series of problems that can occur during various listening tasks. Children with CAPD may hear normally, however, they are unable to comprehend or interpret the information they hear correctly. When a CAPD is present, the individual’s ear sends sounds to the brain, but the part of the brain responsible for translating those sounds does not function properly, resulting in a jumbled message. They also tend to behave as though they understand, but lose track of the conversation when there is background noise, more than one person speaking, or a person speaking rapidly or in incomplete sentences.

If left untreated, children with CAPD may have speech and language delays. They also tend to have difficulty learning, especially in loud noisy classrooms. Early diagnosis is crucial because with the right treatment, a child with CAPD can do well in school and live a completely normal life.

 

CAPD Evaluations

CAPD evaluations are particularly useful for children ages seven and older who have normal hearing, but difficulty listening and learning in the classroom. Children may have difficulty comprehending sounds accurately, organizing sounds and words into the proper sequence, or retaining what they hear in their memory long enough to understand them.

HES understands that a careful and accurate diagnosis is the first step to providing a comprehensive and effective treatment program. CAPD evaluations must be interpreted in the context of a complete psycho-educational test series, including measures of the child’s cognitive, language, and reading capacity. At HES, we scrutinize your child’s test for predictable sequences of errors or patterns in their responses that indicate the type of auditory delay they are experiencing. In doing so, we can determine the specific areas your child struggles with the most to develop a treatment plan that fits his or her individual needs, particularly in the classroom.

 

Treatment

At HES, we believe that CAPD treatment must be individualized, intense, and effective. Designing a plan to improve symptoms of CAPD requires the collaboration of multiple specialists, parents, and teachers. The child’s school and home environments are also taken into consideration. Modifications to your child’s classroom, homework, and in-school testing requirements may be recommended. In addition, an audiologist or speech-language pathologist can provide auditory training therapies to help your child develop better listening and organizational skills. With the proper assistance, your child can improve CAPD symptoms, and excel academically and socially.

 

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