Because our brains have the amazing capacity to change (neuroplasticity), children can ‘grow out’ of anything – with the right stimulation and training. The act of listening itself improves auditory processing (if the child is listening!)
Children with APD lack the skills to improve their own listening
That child then starts tuning out more and discovers, because he can’t hear the teacher very well, that it’s much more fun to throw spit balls and find ways to tease the girls around him. That student’s auditory processing isn’t going to get better because he isn’t getting any auditory training in the classroom.
So yes – children can outgrow anything if the stimulation is right, if what the child is doing with their brain is doing it in a way to move the brain in a different direction.
Educators and parents – how to improve auditory processing
✅ Compensating for the problem by changing the way they receive and access information.
One thing we can do is move that child to the front of the class, so when the child’s in school for five hours, they’re getting the best auditory signal they can.
- breaking up instructions
- checking for understanding
- providing visual aids.
✅ Changing the environment to make listening easier.
The other thing we can do is talk to that child a lot in quiet environments (this should be done at all ages, and is especially crucial before age 5). Turning the TV off, getting out a book and reading to a child is very important for auditory processing development.
Other methods include moving closer to the speaker (for example, sitting closer to the front at a seminar), reducing noise and echo, and amplifying the speaker’s voice.
While the above compensatory and environmental modifications are of some help, these children need direct training to get the most out of the classroom environment and to avoid the enduring negative impact of processing problems on through adulthood (read Robyn’s perspective on this as an adult with APD).
Is Auditory Processing Difficulty a lifelong problem?
For most children, direct intervention improves processing. It is for this reason that neuroscientists have developed programs to improve auditory processing skills. Many children need this specific stimulation, this extra brain training, to develop age appropriate auditory processing skills.
Treatment for auditory processing disorder
It requires actively training the brain to process sounds quickly and accuracy, to pay attention when processing auditory information, and to remember that information
To achieve this, we use Fast ForWord, a program that’s proven to improve many areas of auditory processing.
- Fast ForWord is designed to change the brain, re-wiring it for listening, attention and memory.
Online auditory processing disorder test
People aged 5 and above who meet the eligiblity requirements can enrol in our online auditory processing disorder test.
You need an iPad to complete this test at home.
The test is research validated and results are evaluated by professionals.
Learn more & contact us
Download APD info pack
Find out how to best help an adults or a student with APD, how to understand APD test results, and how Fast ForWord can help.
Learn about the Fast ForWord online program
What is Auditory Processing Disorder?
Dr Martha Burns explains.
Book a free phone consult
This free telephone consultation can help to answer any questions you have about our services. At Sonic Learning we are all experienced teachers and health professionals so parents tend to find it very beneficial to be able to discuss their concerns and receive guidance from our team.
