Listening and auditory processing online programs
Do you or your child have poor listening skills or auditory processing?
Too often, poor listening skills are wrongly attributed to laziness, selective hearing or defiance.
In fact, some people have trouble processing what they hear – known as an Auditory Processing Disorder or APD.
What is Auditory Processing Disorder?
APD is not a behavioural disorder, hearing loss, attention or IQ deficit.
APD occurs when the part of the brain that’s responsible for making sense of auditory information hasn’t properly developed.
Download APD info pack
Find out more about APD. Inside our info pack we have a convenient self-assessment checklist for APD, as well as how to best help an adult or a student with APD, how to understand APD test results, and how Fast ForWord can help.
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.
How poor auditory processing can affect a child
Mishears or misses instructions given
Unable to complete work
Told they need to “try harder”
When left untreated, kids with poor listening skills can grow into adults with the lifelong legacy of listening and learning difficulties.
In the classroom, up to 90% of instruction is spoken—and those students who can quickly process verbal information are at a significant advantage.
How does APD feel?
I have to work very hard all the time to understand what is going on around me.
It’s hard for me to learn because although I am smart, it takes longer for me to get the information than it takes other people.
What are the symptoms of APD?
Usually, people with APD will
- forget instructions,
- misunderstand what has been said,
- be slow to respond, or
- drift off/tune out.
They are intelligent but may struggle with many aspects of learning because of their listening difficulties, and they usually have trouble getting their thoughts onto paper.
Can you grow out of APD?
Yes and No. Because our brains have the amazing capacity to change (neuroplasticity), both children and adults can ‘grow out’ of almost anything – with the right stimulation and training.
This is where our online programs can help.
How to improve auditory processing?
To improve auditory processing, we need to target the cause of APD with a three pronged approach which includes skill building strategies.
Traditionally, “treatment” recommendations for students with APD have focussed on compensating for the student’s processing difficulties (e.g. “break up instructions” and “sit at the front of the classroom”).
These are compensatory strategies – they are important, but they do not improve auditory processing skills and are not a long-term solution.
Most professionals now agree that a three-pronged approach to intervention is most effective, involving a combination of individualised compensatory strategies, learning environment modifications and skill building strategies. For a thorough overview, request a free APD info pack.
Sonic Learning’s online auditory processing programs
Effective programs actively train the ability to process spoken information more easily and efficiently.
Training auditory processing speed and capacity can’t be done overnight, but it absolutely can be done. Improving auditory processing takes daily practice and engaging exercises to create significant and lasting improvements.
Sonic Learning’s team of health and education professionals has been successfully using the proven neuroscience program Fast ForWord since 2004 to improve auditory processing speed, listening comprehension, sound discrimination skills, auditory memory, auditory attention and sequencing skills.
Key takeaways
Auditory processing happens in the brain
Auditory processing problems can have a huge impact on a person’s life
Auditory processing can be improved with neuroscience-based programs
Free phone consultation with a professional
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.