As many as five percent of school-aged children have been diagnosed with a hearing issue called auditory processing disorder (APD). APD impacts how the brain processes auditory information. As a result, this causes a disconnect between the brain and the ears, making it difficult for these children to discern certain sounds with ease or quickly. With early diagnosis and treatment, kids with APD can thrive.

It’s also been discovered that children with APD have higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While the two disorders have similar symptoms, they are discrete conditions. Therefore, clinicians must identify if ADHD is present.

Common Symptoms of APD

  • Memory issues
  • Difficulty following spoken directions and instructions
  • Short attention span
  • Distractibility
  • Taking longer than other children when responding to spoken communication
  • Problems with learning, spelling, reading, and verbal math problems
  • Children with APD do much better in quieter, less hectic settings

Every single sign above would also appear if we were listing ADHD symptoms. That said, APD is a distinct disorder. Thus, the symptoms observed are caused by problems found in the central auditory nervous system. This is why, unlike with ADHD, a child suspected of having APD must be tested in various areas of auditory processing.

Why Does APD Often Accompany ADHD?

The relationship between the two conditions is not yet fully understood. However, an ADHD-related study in 2017 revealed some interesting information. The study involved students who had auditory processing difficulties. One group of these children also had ADHD and were given a medication called methylphenidate.

Before being given the medication, the kids with auditory issues and ADHD scored lower than this with only auditory issues in areas like:

  • Making sense of incomplete auditory stimuli
  • Integrating auditory information received by both ears
  • Processing the order and timing of auditory stimuli

After six months of methylphenidate, the children with both conditions -auditory issues and ADHD –  showed significant improvement. This implies that the relationship between the two disorders could be related to what condition is being treated and what the treatment is.

Thus, it is crucial that testing and observation specifically look for symptoms beyond anything that can be caused by immature auditory processing. ADHD could be differentiated from APD if signs like hyperactivity, general inattention, and excessive physical movement are reported.

Getting an Auditory Processing Disorder Diagnosis

While auditory processing disorder is not listed as a specific disorder, its range of symptoms falls under the category of language disorder. Distinguishing APD from ADHD (or identifying their co-morbidity) will require a team of professionals to:

  • Assess the underlying causes of any perceived learning disability
  • Evaluate language skills
  • Look for any irregularities in terms of paying attention and/or general cognitive functioning
  • Analyze comprehension of speech in noisy, challenging environments
  • Test for perception of sound and sound localization

Coping With an APD Diagnosis

Children determined to be dealing with APD can benefit greatly from steps like:

  • Seating them closer to the teacher in a classroom
  • Using devices like noise-canceling headphones or frequency modulation (FM)
  • Installing sound-absorbing materials in their home — especially where they spend the most time
  • Encouraging such children to ask for clarification when needed
  • Giving your child short breaks to help them process information

Getting the Best and Quickest Help For Your Child

If you think your child may be dealing with either APD or ADHD (or both), it’s strongly suggested that you do not hesitate to get them tested. The longer they struggle in school or social settings, the more it can impair their confidence and self-esteem. Both ADHD and APD can be treated and managed. Therefore, I invite you to reach out and get more information today. To learn more about our approaches follow the link: Auditory Processing Disorder Therapy – Liliana Sacarin – Seattle, WA