Auditory Processing Disorder - what is it and where does it come from?

Auditory processing disorder definition

"Children with APD may exhibit a variety of listening and related complaints. For example, they may have difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, following directions, and discriminating (or telling the difference between) similar-sounding speech sounds. Sometimes they may behave as if a hearing loss is present, often asking for repetition or clarification. In school, children with APD may have difficulty with spelling, reading, and understanding information presented verbally in the classroom. Often their performance in classes that don't rely heavily on listening is much better, and they typically are able to complete a task independently once they know what is expected of them."

From American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is done by an Audiologist with subjects that are at least 7 years old.

Although many people exhibit many of these symptoms, it is important to note that the underlying problem must be auditory in order to be considered this due to auditory processing problems. Also, it cannot be related to hearing loss in other to be APD.

What we care about the most functionally is the ability to process individual sounds for reading, or processing words for listening. Can our child hear the difference between the short vowel sounds? Can we hear our friend's words during a loud party?

Where does it come from?

Most people with an auditory processing problem have had it all their life - it did not show up at age 10. It could be a result of not developing it at all or developing it after multiple ear infections.  If a person did not develop it at all, we have to go back to the first year of life, when it should have developed. We must look at the stages of development called the Primitive Reflexes.

Primitive Reflexes and Auditory Development

When a baby is first born, loud noises startle them, and they jump, shake and sometimes cry. They are born with a hypersensitivity to noise. If the baby does go through this stage of development well enough, the exaggerated startle reflex called the Moro Reflex will be retained, and the hypersensitivity to sound remains. During this stage, which should last 4 months, many systems in the body are maturing as well - the sensory system, the vestibular (balance) system, the immune system, the digestive system, and the nervous system. Therefore, if you know of someone who has hypersensivity in these areas, they would benefit from "integrating" this reflex. Please watch this video to learn all about this reflex and how to solve the issues.

The best Moro reflex integration exercise

Another stage during infancy that develops auditory processing is Spinal Galant, which is present from re-natal times to about 9 months. When someone's back is ticklish to touch, the reflex remains. Besides auditory processing, other areas that may be underdeveloped is bladder control, short term memory, and ADHD.

Getting Older - losing auditory processing

If you are over 40, you may notice that your ability to process auditory information is getting worse. You can hear people and sounds, but have trouble getting the exact words immediately. Your auditory processing abilities are getting worse.

It appears that as we age, these reflexes re-emerge. They can and do re-emerge from trauma, and as we get older, most of us have had some type of trauma along the way. So, actually, all we need to do is to re-integrate these reflexes. I integrated mine at age 54, and stopped asking what all day long. Not only was it a relief for me, my friends and families liked not having to repeat themselves too!

How can I learn more?

You can learn much more about this from the Primitive Reflexes: Foundation for Learning DVD. On it is a webinar that spans over 7 hours, giving background, research, testing, integrating, and additional exercises. The videos are added in by video producer, so that they are of high quality. It is on sale for 20% off until March 31, and more information can be found at http://www.pyramidofpotential.com/primitive-reflexes/.

Next week's article is on Listening Therapy and how it works to help auditory processing.

Solving Auditory Processing Problems