The Learning Success Blog

In Cam's Journey, Part 1 & Part 2, we met Cam when he was 10 years old, in primary school, struggling to learn, finding it hard to make friends and suffering from low self esteem.  

We saw how his mum, Deb, learnt that Cam had auditory processing disorder  (APD). Cam's APD meant that his brain was not able to process sounds accurately. This caused him to struggle to read which made learning difficult, and also to misunderstand spoken words, making it hard for him to join in conversations and socialise easily.

Deb was determined to find a solution for Cam.

In Part 1 of Cam’s Journey we learnt how Cam had been finding it more difficult with each year of his primary schooling. It was really hard for him to keep up with what the teacher was saying to the class, and his self-esteem was low.

Cam’s mother, Deb explains how his distress prompted her to seek help.

“After several months of being bullied at school, aged 10, lots of crying, his teacher unable to “get through to him”, dozens of blank pages, lots of blank stares, social isolation and an inability to get to sleep or stay asleep, I finally decided to have my son assessed by an Audiologist”.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and Dyslexia are related conditions. LearnFast interviewed Dr Martha Burns, international expert on dyslexia and APD, about how they are connected and how we can treat them.

Key points from the interview included:

• A child identified with APD in kindergarten is likely to show signs of dyslexia in year 3
• Auditory processing disorders are treatable
• There are various kinds of dyslexia
• Dyslexia is a learning difference, not a disease

What is “hearing acuity”? What does it have to do with auditory processing disorder and our ability to learn?

LearnFast asked Devon Barnes, speech pathologist and Auditory Processing Disorder specialist to explain the links between a child’s ear structure, their hearing acuity, auditory processing disorder and learning ability.

 Key points from the interview included

• Hearing acuity refers to the very softest sound we can hear across a range of frequencies.
• Hearing is fundamental to learning language.
• Ear infection or “glue ear” can cause problems for children

How do we get auditory processing disorder (APD) – is it something we are born with? To find out, LearnFast interviewed Devon Barnes, speech pathologist and APD specialist.

Key points from the interview included:

• You can be born with it
• There are likely to be students with APD in almost every classroom
• Informed, aware teachers can identify students who may have APD
• This disorder can be related to dyslexia

Are there signs you can look out for at home, that could indicate your child has auditory processing disorder (APD)?

To find out, LearnFast asked Devon Barnes, speech pathologist and APD specialist, and we recorded her answers on video.

Key points from the interview included:

• Does your child often misunderstand what you say?
• Do they have difficulty following an instruction to do a sequence of things
• Rule out a hearing problem by having their hearing checked
• Your child may not be disobedient or oppositional, they just may not be able to process everything you say to them

How is it possible that your child can hear quite well but they don’t understand what they hear? They could have auditory processing disorder (APD).

To get some understanding of this complex issue, LearnFast asked Devon Barnes, speech pathologist and APD specialist to explain in a video interview.

Key points from the interview included:

• “Processing” the meaning of sounds is different to “hearing"
• Hearing happens in our ears
• Processing occurs in our brain
• Auditory processing disorder can look like attention deficit

Fast ForWord programs are proven to develop auditory processing skills. LearnFast recorded a video interview with Devon Barnes, speech pathologist and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) specialist and asked her explain.

Key points from the interview included:

• Fast ForWord trains multiple aspects of auditory processing including:
  • Auditory discrimination
  • Auditory memory
  • Following instructions
  • Receptive language
    
• Neuroimaging shows physical brain changes after Fast ForWord
• Tests confirm improvements in auditory processing

How can you make life easier for your child with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) . In this video interview Devon Barnes, speech pathologist and APD specialist gives eight practical tips for parents.

Some of the tips from the interview are:

1. Reduce your child’s frustration by being understanding and compassionate about their difficulty.
2. Make sure you have your child’s full attention before you speak to them.
3. Have your child face you when you speak to them.
4. Keep instructions short
   

What are some of the signs teachers can recognise that may suggest that a student has auditory processing disorder?

LearnFast asked Devon Barnes, speech pathologist and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) specialist to answer this question, and recorded her answers in a video interview.

Key points from the interview include advice that teachers should look out for students who:

• Have delays in responding to questions
• Often misunderstand what the teacher or other students say
• Are behind others in reading and spelling
• Have difficulty understanding jokes or sarcasm