Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is characterized, in general, by an individual having difficulty processing speech. The diagnosis can be difficult because many areas of the brain (e.g. cognitive, attention, and language) play important roles in processing sound. Just because a child has problems listening does not mean that the child has a central auditory processing disorder. CAPD must be diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team, including an audiologist. The child must be at least 7 or 8 years of age to be tested.
The goal of the therapy is to:
- Improve the child’s auditory processing abilities,
- Provide the child with compensatory strategies to facilitate his/her listening to speech,
- Modify the learning environment, e.g. working with the school and/or parent.
Read about Early Childhood Developmental Milestones.