Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a common comorbidity found in autism/ADHD/dyslexia.
But what is it and how does it affect our lived experience?
Auditory processing disorder refers to difficulties in how the brain perceives sound after it travels through the ear canal.
Someone with APD might notice…
- Movies not making sense without subtitles.
- “Sorry? Can you repeat that?” and “What? are some of your main catch-phrases.
- It taking longer to process conversations in loud or group settings.
- Listening to someone explain board-game instructions is your worst nightmare.
APD at school may have looked like…
- Frequently asking the person next to you to re-explain the task set by the teacher.
- Having to work significantly harder for the ‘listening’ section of language examinations.
- Needing more time to process in-class debates.
Accommodations you can give yourself if you have APD:
- Use subtitles!
- Ask for demonstrations when learning new skills.
- Tell people you have “hearing dyslexia” if they’re struggling to understand the APD experience.
- Request a practice run when starting a new board-game.
Ultimately, auditory processing disorder has no link with your level of intelligence, so do not be afraid to ask for the necessary accommodations (and find the verbal misunderstandings amusing where possible).
