CAPD is a neurologically-based disorder where the brain’s ability to correctly process auditory stimuli is impaired. While children with CAPD may have impaired hearing, many do not. It is much more difficult to identify than actual hearing loss, and is often confused with ADHD or other disorders. CAPD can co-exist with ADHD, autism or other neurological disorders. Here are some questions to ask if you suspect there is something wrong with your child’s auditory processing:
• Is your child easily distracted or unusually bothered by loud or sudden noises?
• Are noisy environments upsetting to your child?
• Does your child’s behavior and performance improve in quieter settings?advertisement• Does your child have difficulty following directions, whether simple or complicated ones?
• Does your child have reading, spelling, writing, or other speech-language difficulties?
• Is abstract information difficult for your child to comprehend?
• Are verbal (word) math problems difficult for your child?
• Is your child disorganized and forgetful?
• Are conversations hard for your child to follow?
I have to answer a resounding YES to all of these questions when asked about LuLu. While there is still much more going on with her than CAPD, it is the auditory processing problem that shows up more and more (now that I know what I’m looking at).
LuLu just can not…CAN NOT…follow multi-step instructions. If they are listed for her visually it helps somewhat. Some of this could be attributed to her impulsivity, but it’s more than that. She can be very determinedly focused on doing something and still have trouble remembering Step A, Step B, Step C.
Her aversion to noisy environments and her complete meltdowns when in cheering crowds are legendary. And recently she’s piping up about not being able to follow conversations. “I don’t understand what you’re saying! You’re talking to fast!” is a more common complaint. When I asked her why she didn’t try to play games outside with the other children, she told me she didn’t understand the game. When I suggested that she ask the children to explain it to her, she said “I don’t understand their jibber jabber.” I’m realizing just how fast most kids (and some adults) talk.
It also seems very hard for LuLu to reciprocate in a conversation. To hold onto her own thought while truly listening to your own. This, too, is frustrating for her. “I forgot what I was going to say!” she laments.
And LuLu’s not alone as children adopted from international orphanages go. Although there have not been many research projects specifically on post-institutionalized children and CAPD, many experts who work with this population agree that auditory processing and language processing disorders occur in post-orphanage populations at higher-than-normal rates.
This article by Jay Lucker, Ed.S, CCC-A/SLP, FAAA explains auditory processing deficits in post-institutionalized children.
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Fast ForWord Results
Is it ADD or Something Else – Part 1
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