Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in Children: Guide

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in Children: Guide

This MESHGuide has been designed to provide an evidence-based overview of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in children.  It offers a snapshot of the history of APD, how APD is defined, the different types of APD, how APD presents, the importance of a multi- or interdisciplinary approach, how to assess APD and finally practical guidance for managing APD in the classroom, at home and in everyday life.

The aim of the Guide is to provide those interested in APD with the most up-to-date research evidence, presented in an easily accessible way, and thereby promote excellence in the support and care provided to children with APD.  The Guide is structured to allow the reader to easily access the specific area they are interested in, providing links to some of the key publications and research.  It promotes a high standard of research and evidence-based care and encourages both internationaland multi-disciplinary collaboration

The intended audience includes:

• Professionals with an interest or expertise in the areas of APD, hearing, listening, language and learning difficulties.  This may include, but is not limited to teachers, Teachers of the Deaf, special education teachers and coordinators, Educational Audiologists, Audiologists, Speech-and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Otolaryngologists, Paediatricians and General Practitioners.

This Guide may be of particular interest to Teachers of the Deaf, who support children with hearing impairment in the UK.  Their expertise is equally beneficial and easily transferable to those with APD, i.e. recommendations for improving the listening environment and technology such as assistive devices.  This MESHGuide was initiated by Ann Underwood on behalf of the BATOD Foundation.

• Funders and government bodies (medical and educational) to provide evidence-based information about APD.

• Parents, children/adults with APD and the general public to inform and empower them in their understanding of the topic and decision-making.

The ‘Practical handouts’ section provides useful tips and practical information.

This guide is one in a series of Deaf Education MESHGuides.

Authors:

Nicci Campbell

Professorial Fellow (Enterprise), University of Southampton; Qualified Audiologist and Speech & Language Therapist, Chair of the British Society of Audiology’s APD Special Interest Group Steering Committee, Service Lead for the Interdisciplinary APD Service at the University of Southampton.

Pauline Grant

ToD, with particular expertise on the educational management of APD, Immediate Past Chair BSA APD SIG,  Lead Educational Consultant at Listen to Learn.

Stuart Rosen

Professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences, UniversityCollege London.

David R. Moore

Director of the Communication Sciences Research Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Professor of Auditory Neuroscience, University of Manchester.

The authors will update the MESHGuide as new evidence becomes available. We recognise that APD is a complex area and that views differ. We welcome comment and recommendations from all readers.

CLICK HERE to give feedback.