Learning Skills 101 – Auditory Processing

To Review:

So far, we have been discussing what learning skills are and how they impact a student on a daily basis.  If you recall, we stated that learning skills are the underlying mental skills formally known as attention, visual/auditory processing, memory, processing, word attack and auditory analysis.  Most of our children experience these skills through reading, writing, spelling, paying attention, remembering, recalling and how quick we can respond to a request.  

Over the last few weeks, we have been discussing some exercises from Unlock the Einstein Inside:  Applying New Brain Science to Wake Up the Smart In Your Child. Dr. Gibson is the creator of Processing and Cognitive Enhancement (PACE) and Master the Code (MTC).  This is one of the programs at the core of The Enhanced Learning Skills System.

Auditory Processing is really an important underlying mental skill.  This week I wanted to provide you with some background details around this one mental skill.  The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states the following on Auditory Processing:
Auditory processing is a term used to describe what happens when your brain recognizes and interprets the sounds around you. The "disorder" part of auditory processing disorder means that something is adversely affecting the processing or interpretation of the information.
Children with Auditory Processing issues often do not recognize subtle differences between sounds in words, even though the sounds themselves are loud and clear.  

Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder can range from mild to severe. Here are some questions you can ask yourself about your child's processing of sounds if you think there is a problem:

• 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?
• Does your child have difficulty following directions, whether simple or complicated?
• 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?

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is an often an unknown problem and often not diagnosed because many of the behaviors noted above can also appear in other conditions like learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, autism, autism spectrum disorder, specific language impairment, pervasive developmental disorder, or developmental delay. It is also possible to have APD and have these same disorders.  If that is the case, then most of the time the major disorder like autism is found and treated and APD goes undetected.

Audiologists (hearing specialists) can determine if a child has APD. Only audiologists can perform auditory processing testing and diagnose your child.

Problem Areas for Kids With APD (taken from kidshealth article):

The five main problem areas that can affect both home and school activities in kids with APD are:

1. Auditory Figure-Ground Problems: This is when the child can't pay attention when there's noise in the background. Noisy, low-structured classrooms could be very frustrating.

2. Auditory Memory Problems: This is when the child has difficulty remembering information such as directions, lists, or study materials. It can be immediate (i.e., "I can't remember it now") and/or delayed (i.e., "I can't remember it when I need it for later").

3. Auditory Discrimination Problems: This is when the child has difficulty hearing the difference between sounds or words that are similar (COAT/BOAT or CH/SH). This problem can affect following directions, reading, spelling, and writing skills, among others.

4. Auditory Attention Problems: This is when the child can't maintain focus for listening long enough to complete a task or requirement (such as listening to a lecture in school). Although health, motivation, and attitude might also affect attention, among other factors, a child with CAPD cannot (not will not) maintain attention.

5. Auditory Cohesion Problems: This is when higher-level listening tasks are difficult. Auditory cohesion skills — drawing inferences from conversations, understanding riddles, or comprehending verbal math problems — require heightened auditory processing and language levels. They develop best when all the other skills (levels 1 through 4 above) are intact.

Your child may be experiencing similar difficulties while learning The best way to find this out is to have your child’s cognitive skills tested.  The good news is after a student works with the Student Transformation System they will have strengthened all of their cognitive skills including auditory processing.  ADHD symptoms, that are cognitive based, disappear to the point the teachers and family take notice.  Recognize that there is hope and a solution.  Call today for more information on your choices!  Call me at (908) 285-8352. 

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