1. Auditory Processing Disorder/APD And Its Implications Alyson Mountjoy
Text © Alyson Mountjoy All rights reserved

2. CONTENTS 1. Author's experience 2. What is APD? 3. What causes APD?
4. How can APD affect people?
5. Some areas of APD difficulty - with tips
6. Other considerations
7. Diagnosis – how to get one
8. How professionals can help
12 APD reminders – as a recap
Further information - website and

3. 1. Author's experience
Information in this presentation and notes is based on almost 18 years of observations and research, plus:
Development of the first international research project into the effects of APD on adults with Dr Damien Howard (Darwin), joint articles co-author
Co-founder of the first UK voluntary organisation supporting sufferers of APD in the UK in 2002 (which led to research funding for development of the first UK APD tests - used at Great Ormond Street Hospital/GOSH since 2004) and Chair
Providing NHS-referred support for families since then, via forums, helpline, website, chats, newsletters etc. and advocating for full UK recognition and support

4. 2. What is APD
The definition used in the UK is that APD is a condition which affects the way that the brain processes sound including speech
That is a simplistic yet accurate description - but APD is far more than that, as detailed in the notes provided...

5. 3. What causes APD?
APD is thought to be neurological in nature; the auditory nerves leading to the brain may be damaged – or one or more areas of the brain
There are many and varied causes for this, the main ones being inherited APD, damage in utero/at birth, glue ear caused by middle ear infection, head/brain injury, epilepsy and other conditions and illnesses; there are many more
You can have more than one cause

6. 4. How can APD affect people?
APD is an invisible disability with wide- reaching, lifelong implications
It isn't just a matter of having APD or not having it
Every sufferer is affected uniquely with a combination of difficulties
You don't have to have all the difficulties to qualify for a full diagnosis of APD - two recognised difficulties are needed of qualifying severity

7. 5. Some APD difficulties These are some of the more common ones:
Poor sound and speech discrimination
Speech in noise/auditory figure-ground problem
Poor auditory memory
Problem with accents/unclear speech/phone use
Slow/delayed/intermittent processing
Phonemic awareness difficulties
Auditory sequencing problems
There are others, and there can be any number of co- morbid conditions which compound the problems

8. 6. Other considerations Co-morbid conditions and dual exceptionalities
Early intervention and support is vital
Life-long difficulties, home aspect, esteem, education provision etc. - all have an effect
Self-advocacy - an essential skill
Coping strategies - needed from an early age
APD rarely exists in isolation; APD is for life, and sufferers need to learn how it affects them, how to cope with it, get around it, and learn to ask for help

9. 7. Diagnosis
Only a specialist audiologist is qualified to diagnose APD; referral to GOSH is recommended – see the current qualifying criteria in your notes
Parents are the only ones who can seek diagnosis - when the child is 7 or over; a hearing test is needed to rule out hearing loss/glue ear prior to referral via GP or other accepted medical professional (not education)
Parents will need a report stating that APD is suspected (by one of the specified professionals), plus all tests/diagnosis reports for any other conditions, particularly affecting language

10. 8. How professionals can help
People with APD can succeed when fully supported
Education and other professionals have a duty of care to recognise APD, aid referral and then accommodate fully, as per the Education Act 2011
UK diagnosis has been available since 2004; APD is not new and EHC plans have been given for APD
APD has a profound effect on more than 3-5% of the world population ; every teacher might have at least one child with APD in their class – would you recognise them, or staff with APD in your school?
Please help parents as much as you can to access an appropriate education for all children in your care

11. Not all information heard will be understood or retained
APD REMINDER 1
Not all information heard will be understood or retained

12. Speech gets lost in noise
APD REMINDER 2
Speech gets lost in noise

13. Unclear voices and unfamiliar voice patterns are harder to process
APD REMINDER 3
Unclear voices and unfamiliar voice patterns are harder to process

14. Facing the person with APD aids effective communication
APD REMINDER 4
Facing the person with APD aids effective communication

15. Processing deficits lead to gaps in knowledge
APD REMINDER 5
Processing deficits lead to gaps in knowledge

16. Sequencing problems make shaky foundations to build upon
APD REMINDER 6
Sequencing problems make shaky foundations to build upon

17. Delayed processing can lead to slow working and unfinished tasks
APD REMINDER 7
Delayed processing can lead to slow working and unfinished tasks

18. Taking dictation means notes are often incorrect or incomplete
APD REMINDER 8
Taking dictation means notes are often incorrect or incomplete

19. Pre-teaching and printed materials are vital to a learner with APD
APD REMINDER 9
Pre-teaching and printed materials are vital to a learner with APD

20. Too much noise and information leads to sensory overload
APD REMINDER 10
Too much noise and information leads to sensory overload

21. The brain needs silence and rest for delayed processing/recovery
APD REMINDER 11
The brain needs silence and rest for delayed processing/recovery

22. APD REMINDER 12
Only a specialist audiologist is qualified to diagnose APD – and only parents can seek referral

23. Further information
Please visit: for further information and links to support groups for parents, adults and teens/young adults with APD – supportive professionals are welcome!
Please contact:
BE EDUCATED, BE SUPPORTIVE
Text © Alyson Mountjoy All rights reserved
Images used are all, to the best of my knowledge, sourced as royalty-free.