Ever wonder why it seems your child never listens? The truth is, she may hear every word, but her brain may be having trouble processing the information, say experts at the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)—estimated to affect 2 to 5 percent of children—prevents a child from listening to or comprehending spoken information correctly. Because it mimics other conditions, APD is often misdiagnosed as ADD/ADHD, speech/language disorders, memory disorders or dyslexia.
If your child has trouble paying attention, stumbles with multistep directions or struggles in school, she may have APD. Usually requiring a team approach to treatment, many children with APD may benefit from the help of a speech-language pathologist, an assistive listening device or making simple changes in daily routine like working with teachers to minimize background noise through preferential seating.
Concerned? For students, obtain a referral to your school’s Special Education Department for evaluation by the diagnostic team and for younger tots, check in with your pediatrician. For more information, contact the Callier Center: 214/905-3000.
