Auditory Processing Disorder Treatment
in Massapequa & East Northport, NY
Children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) struggle with interpreting and processing auditory information. This can affect their ability to communicate and participate in daily activities such as school or playing with friends. At Sensational Development, we understand the impact this can have on a child’s life, and our dedicated pediatric therapists work with families to help children with APD overcome these challenges. Keep reading to learn more about what APD is, common signs of this condition, and how pediatric therapy can help your child reach their fullest potential.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a neurological condition that affects how the brain receives and processes sounds. Children with this condition can struggle to recognize and interpret sounds, which leads to difficulties in communication, learning, and social interactions. It is important to note that APD is not a hearing impairment but rather a difficulty in processing the information received through the ears.
What Does Auditory Processing Disorder Affect?
There are four main skills that can be affected by auditory processing disorder:
Auditory discrimination
The ability to hear the small differences between words, such as “cat” and “cot,” or “bed” and “bad.”
Auditory memory
The ability to remember spoken words or song lyrics.
Auditory figure-ground discrimination
The ability to focus on and understand words when there’s a lot of background noise, such as being able to hear a conversation in a cafeteria.
Auditory sequencing
The ability to remember the order in which words were spoken.
What Causes Auditory Processing Disorder?
The exact causes of Auditory Processing Disorder can vary, and in many cases, the specific cause is not clear. However, some factors that can lead to this condition include:
- A family history of auditory processing difficulties
- Frequent ear infections during early development
- Traumatic head injuries
- Premature birth or low birth weight
- Central nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis
Signs and Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder
Common signs of Auditory Processing Disorder include:
- Difficulty following verbal instructions
- Struggles with understanding people in noisy environments
- Trouble telling the differences between words
- Often asking others to repeat what they’ve said
- Long pauses before responding to others
- Difficulty remembering what others have said
- Challenges with reading and spelling
- Struggles with understanding fast talkers
How Pediatric Therapy Helps Children with Auditory Processing Disorder
At Sensational Development, our experienced pediatric therapists conduct thorough evaluations to understand the unique needs of each child with Auditory Processing Disorder. Pediatric therapy, including occupational therapy and sensory integration therapy as needed, is designed to address these challenges in a fun and engaging way.
Our experts will work with your child and you to improve all areas of auditory processing so your child can better communicate with and understand others. With our treatment and your support, we can improve your child’s auditory processing skills for better academic performance, improved communication skills, and increased confidence in social situations.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you suspect your child may be experiencing Auditory Processing Disorder, Sensational Development is here to help. Give us a call at (516) 799-2900 to schedule an evaluation, and let’s work together to give your child the tools they need for a sensational future.
