What is Auditory Processing and Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)?

Auditory processing refers to how the central nervous system takes in auditory information and interprets its meaning. Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is an auditory deficit where a child is able to hear sounds, but their brain interprets these sounds a-typically.

What causes Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)?

The exact cause of CAPD is unknown. However, auditory processing disorders may be associated with a number of other conditions including: developmental delay, pervasive developmental disorder, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia or attention deficit disorder.

How do I know if my child has auditory processing disorder?

A child with Central Auditory Processing Disorder may exhibit the following symptoms: shy and withdrawn, slow to respond, difficulty with following verbal directives when no other cues are given, easily distracted, poor attention, difficulty listening in the presence of background noise, poor receptive and expressive language, low academic performance and they may also exhibit behavior issues. If you child displays a number of these symptoms, referral to an audiologist may be warranted for CAPD testing and diagnosis.

How can I help treat my child’s condition?

CAPD is treated through a variety of methods including skill remediation, compensatory strategies and environmental adaptations. A child with CAPD would benefit from working with an occupational therapist and speech language pathologist following diagnosis from an audiologist to target these areas. Additionally, computer software has been added to the scope of intervention to enhance traditional treatment approaches.

Our Approach at North Shore Pediatric Therapy

At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, our therapists work with children with central auditory processing disorders using a multisensory approach to provide the child with experiences which help improve his/her speech and language skills, social skills, behavior, sensory processing skills, attention, and any other difficulties that are hindering his/her ability to fully succeed socially, academically and personally.