What is Central Auditory Processing Disorder?

speech pathology helpful for CAPD - Central Auditory Processing Disorder - children - Oak Tree Development Center - Chicago IL

Central Auditory Processing refers to the process of our brains recognizing and interpreting sound.  Children who have Central Auditory Processing Disorders, tend to have difficulty recognizing subtle differences between sounds in words, or may have difficulty understanding longer strands of auditory information.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Central Auditory Processing Disorders

Some common signs and symptoms of CAPD revolve around difficulty paying attention to material presented orally. This could translate into difficulty following multi-step directions (ex: “Before you put on your shoes, grab your water bottle and backpack from the shelf!”), needing extended time to process information, behavior problems, and difficulty with reading, comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary.

Consider Speech Pathology

If you suspect your child might have difficulty with processing verbal information, seeking out a speech and language evaluation is a great first step!  A speech and language pathologist will take an in-depth look at your child’s language processing and help determine if they should visit an audiologist for an official Central Auditory Processing diagnosis!

Source:

https://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/130%20CAPD.pdf

Author:

Katherine Reynolds M.A. CCC-SLP/L
Speech-Language Pathologist
Early Intervention Specialist