Auditory Processing disorder

Hi girls
:redface:

I am wondering if anyone has been through the process of auditory processing testing with their school age child?
and what methods have you used to help your child in their learning?
xx

PP

I had DD tested for auditory processing disorder. We thought that was her original problem.

First step is a hearing test. That'll rule out any hearing issues that could be caused by glue ear, or anything else. We saw a range of people starting with the school councilor, then OT & paed. The OT was the one who assessed her & there is no issues with her auditory processing. Tactile & vestibular are her main processing issues on top of ADD. But I recommend an assessment with an OT. IMO they are the best person to start with after getting a report from the school :)

Can't give you advice on helping her, but the OT will be able too. I think DD is more 'selective deafness' :rolleyes:

Auditory processing is assessed by an audiologist. Other professionals can do some screening, but in the end the audiologist is the only one who tests hearing. It is important to get a general hearing check done first, in case there are some conductive issues (which mean the hearing difficulties come and go, generally due to ear infections). Medicare will cover some of the cost of this assessment, but your not likely to get medicare to cover other services, unless there are other medical issues as well. The auditory processing assessment needs to be done by a educational audiologist, who is a specialist audiologist. They can do the original hearing assessment as well, just make sure it's the right person from the start.

The school may be able to advise of some local educational audiologists, and if they don't know they should have access to some allied health professionals who may be able to advise (a psychologist social worker, speech pathologist or occupational therapist or something, depending on your school and/or state).

Otherwise your GP will also be able to advise, and may check the ears as well and if required provide a referral for an ear, nose and throat specialist if it looks like grommets are on the agenda.

They generally wont test for it under the age of 9 as until then they can actually age-appropriately have some symptoms that follow APD which means the test may not be accurate.