auditory processing disorder adhd adults

One of the most powerful tools that we use to improve auditory processing is iLs (integrated listening systems). Using Listening Programs Like The Safe And Sound Protocol To Treat Auditory Hypersensitivities And APD Disorders The result is a better quality of life and fortitude to take on challenges. At this stage, we help you ( or your loved one) feel more empowered and independent. Step four involves therapeutic activities to reinforce and activate the new neural architecture laid down through the previous therapies.Īnd step five is all about self-care. This is particularly important for those struggling with APD because improved reflex integration results in an improved ability to decode words and understand what is being communicated. In the third phase, we work on reflex integration. This allows for more emotional control, increased cognitive function, an improved ability to connect and communicate with others, and a greater sense of self-confidence. In this phase, we use one, or a combination, of tools to improve brain function. Next, we move into neurological organization. This is fundamental to any healing if you don't feel safe and relaxed, your mind and body won't have the energy required to heal. With Brain Harmony, we begin by setting the stage with safety. Without addressing your sensory and perceptual systems, you can't get to the root of the problem.

The Brain Harmony protocol takes you through a five-phase program that assists your brain and nervous system in re-organizing itself. While there are many therapies that can assist people with APD, very few result in significant shifts in auditory processing because they aim to treat the APD itself instead of addressing the foundational imbalance in the nervous system. To fully treat APD, you have to start with the basics by organizing the brain and central nervous system. Again, there seems to be a connection here between auditory processes and cognitive abilities like speech and learning. Older adults and those with neurological disorders or brain injury may also experience APD due to damage to the central nervous system. It's even suggested that issues such as memory, learning, communication, and emotional regulation that present in this population can be tied back to auditory processing disorders. Looking into the adult population, it's estimated that around 15% of military veterans struggle with APD due to the impact of blast exposure on their auditory skills. According to the National Institute of Health, up to 43% of children with learning disabilities also have some type of auditory processing disorder. One reason that APD is often overlooked or misdiagnosed in adolescents is due to the correlation of auditory processing issues with other learning disabilities. What's more, it's predicted that the true number of those struggling with APD is even higher due to misdiagnosis or undiagnosed cases. In fact, it's estimated that 5% of school-aged children in the United States have APD, which adds up to around 2.5 million children across the US.

While you may not hear about APD often, this auditory condition is more common than you may think. These include:Īuditory Processing Disorder Is More Common Than You May Think, in Both Children and Adults Many people assume that there's some hearing loss present with people with APD because they will often ask you to repeat yourself, but as previously mentioned, it's not that there is an issue with hearing it's an issue with understanding.ĭue to the confusion and hypersensitivity that comes with APD, there are some common signs and symptoms of this disorder that show up. It may also be a challenge to tell the difference between similar-sounding words like chair or hair. Symptoms of APDĪuditory Processing Disorder can present in a number of different ways, depending on the individual and which of the above auditory skills are impacted.įor instance, someone with APD may have a hard time understanding speech and deciphering words in a noisy environment. These auditory skills are crucial for development and can directly impact learning processes like spelling, reading, and writing. The ability to understand and recall the order of sounds and words. Short-term and long-term abilities to recall information presented orally.

The ability to pick out important sounds from a noisy background. The ability to notice, compare, and distinguish the distinct and separate sounds in words-a skill that is vital for reading.

While we're not sure exactly what causes APD, the following auditory skills are often impacted by this condition:

Auditory processing disorder adhd adults