Help is Here for Dyslexia

What Is Auditory Processing Delay?

Central auditory processing delay (CAPD) affects the comprehension of about 5% of students. CAPD is not a hearing issue at all. It is a difference in the way the brain interprets sound and speech. The phrase "in one ear and out of the other," actually applies in this instance. Information is going into the ear, but the information is not being processed right away. Unfortunately, this can make things like taking lecture notes, following verbal directions, and paying attention in a high distraction environment a little troublesome. However, with the proper diagnosis through a CAP testing format, a student can compensate with the proper auditory comprehension tools.

Who Has It?

The symptoms of CAPD alone can often be ambiguous; still, CAPD can in fact share similar symptoms to that of dyslexia. The two often go hand and hand. For instance, auditory processing can reveal itself early on in learning while trying to identify sound to letter. This is especially true in identifying the sounds to each particular vowel because they all have the tendency to sound the same for someone with CAPD. As a result, spelling can be affected, and therefore writing as well.

But, CAPD does not just affect younger students just starting off with the fundamentals of learning. No, Central Auditory Processing Delay effects those who are diagnosed with it at every age. However, challenges may vary between ages just because of the progression of education. Meaning that someone with CAPD in college is going to be affected differently than someone in middle school or elementary school. Nonetheless, those diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Delay have it through their entire lives! Thankfully though there are so many solutions to some of the pitfalls it may entail.

Where Do You Go To Get It Diagnosed?

There are so many places where someone with suspected CAPD can go to be diagnosed. The key is to find a Certified Analytics Professional who specializes in CAP testing. Nevertheless, not everyone is sure where to find this CAP testing professional. They are usually located either within a hospital, or within their own private practice. To find them, it is best to talk to a pediatrician, neuropsychologist, or speech pathologist to whom they may refer you to a CAP testing specialist.

After the CAP test, the Certified Analytics Professional will provide an individualized evaluation that will specify the appropriate accommodations to compensate for some of the differences in the classroom CAPD may bring. This often includes a note taker, an ability to record lectures, a separate and low distraction setting to take all tests and quizzes (if in a mainstream educational setting). Once the appropriate accommodations are in place, there will be so many opportunities for academic success!

What Are Some Tools To Compensate?

For anything, practice makes perfect. Furthermore, if the student is just learning the sounds of letters, practice practice practice. If a student is learning how to take verbal lecture notes, practice practice practice.

When practicing the sounds of letters, have the student write the letter while saying the sound out loud. This will simultaneously work the auditory and visual parts of the brain committing both the look and sound of the letter to memory. This can be used as a spelling tool as well.

When practicing how to take lecture notes, have an alternate person (or parent) make up a fake lecture, and verbally dictate it while the student takes notes. Then, go over the notes in conjunction to the material dictated. Show the student what they may have missed while the lecture was being dictated to reinforce where they may have not comprehended the information. This will also teach them how to organize information in an outline format to later be used in studying for tests and quizzes.

In combination with the practice, other tools may also be helpful to implement in aiding to take lecture notes. For instance, there are electronic note takers that usually come with a pen that records the lecture while you take notes. This tool is so popular and made by a number of different companies that can be found either online, or in any educational store. The student can even upload their notes from the pen onto their computer or tablet!

CAPD is not a disorder or disease, it is a difference in the way verbal information is comprehended. Yes, it may provide minor setbacks in the classroom; yet, with the proper tools, accommodations, and a little practice, any student can be successful!