Specialists in Auditority Processing Disorder (APD)
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Teaching the brain to hear
APD and Children
Children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can hear but the hearing centres and circuits in the brain don’t always process incoming information properly. Children with APD have trouble understanding what they hear. And when listening is a challenge, learning is more difficult.
APD and Adults
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can arise in adulthood as a consequence of disease, injury or ageing. Adults with APD can have trouble understanding what they hear, especially in challenging listening situations or when listening to complex information.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and APD
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience auditory processing difficulties. Ongoing research is showing that treatments used for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can be successfully used for individuals with ASD too.
APD and other disorders
APD frequently occurs alongside other difficulties and disorders such as language impairment, reading difficulties and dyslexia. APD can occur with global developmental delay, attention problems and visual problems.
SoundSkills specialises in helping children and adults with communication and/or learning difficulties associated with auditory processing problems. We are unique in having a multidisciplinary team of audiologists, education advisers, a speech language consultant, and an autism adviser. Many of our child clients also have other developmental difficulties. Our services include diagnosis, treatment, management, advice to schools, and referral to other services when needed.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), and (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder ((C)APD) have similar meanings and are used interchangeably. APD is the most commonly used term in New Zealand.