CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorders)

A Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is defined as an observed deficiency in one or more of these behaviors: sound localization and lateralization, auditory discrimination, auditory pattern recognition, and temporal aspects of audition. These include, temporal resolution, temporal masking, temporal integration, temporal ordering, auditory performance decrements with competing acoustic signals, and auditory performance decrements with degraded acoustic signals. (ASHA, 1996)

Behaviors of children with APD

Behaviors of children considered "at risk" include:
Adapted from Cohen(1980)and Fisher (1985)

  • Frequently misunderstands oral instructions or questions
  • Delays in responding to oral instructions or questions
  • Says "Huh" or "What" frequently
  • Frequently needs repetition of directions or information
  • Frequently needs requests repetition
  • Has problems understanding in background noise
  • Is easily distracted by background noise
  • May have problems with phonics or discriminating speech sounds
  • May have poor expressive or receptive language
  • May have spelling, reading, and other academic problems
  • May have behavioral problems

When to test?

Consider testing if a child is doing poorly in school due to difficulties in learning through the auditory modality, poor listening skills, or difficulty understanding in the presence of background noise. Children who show behaviors listed above are considered at risk for central auditory processing disorders and are candidates for testing. In addition, children who show poor auditory performance on questionnaires like the CHAPPS are possible candidates for tests of central auditory function.

Links to Information on Central Auditory Testing

www.searchwave.com

www.scilearn.com

www.cogcon.com

www.lblp.com

www.audiologyonline.com

www.audiology.org

www.asha.org

http://www.edaud.org/

 

The following list was compiled in part with help from students taking a course in Auditory Processing Disorders.  The reader is reminded that there are hundreds of websites on the subject of Auditory Processing Disorders, many of which provide good information, and many that are filled with misinformation.  Parents and professionals are advised to be cautious when interpreting information from the internet.  Remember that any person can purchase a web domain and publish information, whether they are knowledgeable or not, and none of the information on the internet is peer reviewed.  With those caveats in mind, here are some addresses with comments from the students: 

The first few links are to state Departments of Education websites on Auditory Processing Disorders:  

 http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/download/pdf/CI-APD-Gu.pdf  These are the State of Colorado guidelines for Auditory Processing Disorders.  They were developed through the Department of Education.  Look under documents and protocols for auditory processing disorders.  

 

http://arkedu.state.ar.us  The Arkansas Regulations for Auditory Processing Disorders can be found at this website.  Follow the links to regulations, the IDEA, then CAPD (written before the new terminology).  Since it is not a stand-along category you have to scroll down past the list of eligible criteria.  

 

http://cfl.state.mn.us/stellent/groups/public/documents/translatedcontent/pub_010368.pdf  This document is produced by the Minnesota Department of Education, Division of Special Education.  The purpose of the document is to provide educational teams with current information regarding auditory processing disorders. 

 

 http://www.firn.edu/doe/commhome/pdf/y2001-9.pdf   This technical assistance paper from the Florida Department of Education was written to assist audiologists in the educational setting to answer questions concerning auditory processing evaluations.  This is a 70 page highly technical paper that contains information ranging from definition of auditory processing disorders to assessment and remediation.  The last 50 pages or so (the appendix) is a rich source of information that list tests, questionnaires, models for remediation, and other materials.   

 

http://www.access-board.gov/publications/acoustic-factsheet.htm  Provides in depth information on progress towards new standards on classroom acoustics for children with disabilities.  An excellent website on the subject of noise in the classroom with additional links.

 

http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/spring00/centralauditory.htm.  Provides a well-written overview of the assessment and management practices for APD co-authored by Mignon M. Schminky and Jane A. Baran, University of Massachusetts.

 

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/central_auditory.html.   Written in language familiar to parents give information about APD and where diagnosis could take place. Has a nice segue to ADHD, also.

 

http://www.healthyhearing.com.  This web site provides information which includes articles, books, and news related to APD issues. Great for professionals.

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/pubs.  Provides health information, a directory of health care organizations and Spanish publications. Included is info on APD in children. A good source for parents.

 

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/pubs_vsl/auditory.htm.  Highlights: APD definition, what causes it, what the symptoms are, how it is diagnosed, what treatments are available, current research and links for further information.


http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/2001/11/news02.html.  A page by an educational psychologist within a site for parents of struggling teens. Briefly discusses symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of APD etc. Emphasizes a team approach to diagnosis.

 

http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/process_deficit/living_working.html.   An article written by an Audiologist aimed at adults with APD symptoms.

 

http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/process_deficit/adhdreport_capd.html.  Discusses the appropriate time for referral for APD in a logical format.

 

http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/process_deficit/capd_paton.html.  This site has lots of information on LD. The information on APD is geared towards parents.


http://capdlinks.homestead.com/AA_index_ZZ.html.  This page contains a myriad of links for APD as well as other learning disabilities. It is also part of a Resource Ring for APD and LD.

 

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/spanish/audidsrdr_span.asp  ¿Habla Espanol?  This page is from the National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders.  It provides information on APD in Spanish with an alternate link in English at  http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/auditory.asp#5.  The web page allows the patient searcher to burrow into the literature of APD by following another link to other resources at  the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse.  This will  be a link to follow  if  you are persistent.

 

http://capdlinks.homestead.com/useful_CAPD_links.html.  This page is one of the links from the above page, but is noteworthy in that it contains so many useful APD links.

http://www.ncapd.org/.  This page contains information for professionals, sites by professionals, sites by non-professionals, advocacy links and IDEA links. Some of the informational papers given in the top portion of the page are The Bruton Conference and a great Florida Task Force Paper on APD.

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AuditoryProcessing/messages/1301.  This a Yahoo group on APD. It is interesting in that you can see how much disinformation is out there. Also, provides you with a great insight as to what patients and parents go thru, certainly an eye-opener for anyone working on APD.

 

http://www.dolfrog.com/    This is a website from the United Kingdom, set up as an information source for parents of children and adults with auditory processing disorders.  The site includes information on APDUK , a Charity which is in the process of being set up to promote a greater understanding of APD by the general public, Educational and Health Professionals, and those working in the area of recruitment employment in the UK.