Families with Autism Helping Families with Autism

Auditory Processing and Autism

Some children may not only be diagnosed with autism but also other issues and diagnoses as well. A common secondary diagnosis for some children with autism is Auditory Processing disorder or Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD.) CAPD or auditory processing issues does not mean a child cannot hear. In brief, the child most likely has hearing issues. Hearing issues in CAPD or auditory processing issues could be some of the following:

  • They may not hearing all pitches of sounds (i.e., high sounds or low sounds.)
  • They may have significant issues with background noise
  • They may have auditory processing issues (for example; confusing the questions “How are you?” and “How old are you?”

An audiologist specializing in auditory processing issues or CAPD would be able to do a complete evaluation on your child much further beyond a audiology hearing exam. In fact, many parents do both the audiology exam AND an auditory processing or CAPD exam. In addition current providers such as a speech pathologist, a neuropyschologist or behavioral in-home provider of ABA can provide important clues about this issue for a child.

This document attempts to outline one parents findings (not a professional) for a dual diagnosis of autism and auditory processing issues. Outlined are web resources, reading materials and personal findings via the process and treatment of auditory processing issues.

Testing for a Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)?

Testing for Central Auditory Processing Disorder or auditory processing issues in general takes a dedicated and educated audiologist that understand autism and the hearing disorder. Testing generally takes a parent intake evaluation and a hearing evaluation that includes back ground noise, distractions and similar sounding word commands. Testing includes an office evaluation and typically a “hearing booth” assessment while the child wears head phones.

Resources – What Are Some Treatments for CAPD/Auditory Processing?:

Auditory processing disorder and Central Auditory Processing Disorder does have some tools to help the children the hear better, exercising the brain, or assist in neural re-training. Some of these protocols include:

There are many other therapies and protocols available. It is important to work with a team of professionals that will evaluate the unique
needs of the child to make recommendations appropriately designed for them. The above listing are a few suggestions.

Some Personal Experiences for Auditory Processing / CAPD:

The auditory processing route both in testing and treatment has done some wonderful things for my son Jeff. Jeff is diagnosed as autistic and
now has an auditory processing diagnosis as well.

Jeff had an auditory processing disorder and CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder) exam with a local provider in early December 2003 and found that he had big-time issues distinguishing sounds in his right ear with any background noise. Clues were coming from us the parents, in addition his behavorial supervisor and speech pathologist recommended an audiological / CAPD exam.

It is important to note, he does not have a hearing problem. It is the issue of background noise issue and processing issue. Basically, our and other professional observations are that Jeff was “getting” every 2 words of a typical sentence and not hearing all the words or directions people give him. There is a lot more to the diagnosis and I am paraphrasing the findings to just the highlights. Please consult your professionals for detailed information and research as it relates to your child.

Since the complete evaluation and report were completed, we got him fitted with an auditory trainer. Jeff used to use the auditory trainer in therapy sessions and school. Now he uses the device only at school. The teacher (or aide if they are on the play ground) wears the device -- a microphone -- and Jeff wears something that resembles a hearing aid. All I can say is I am ABSOLUTELY amazed at the difference with the trainer IN his ear and now even more or so with the trainer out of his ear. He is talking more, definitely hearing more by his responses and responding on first requests. What is the strangest thing, it is like Jeff is hearing for the first time all the sentences someone is saying versus partially hearing them. I have found he is hearing better even without the trainer due to knowing how to concentrate and what hearing is like. (This is very hard to describe in writing!)

More info on auditory trainers www.phonak.com

We had the Auditory Processing evaluation done by:
Carol Atkins, 5255 Cabot Rd #108, Laguna Hills (949) 951-3362 (typically there is a 6 mo. waiting list, but they can notify you about cancellations if you would like to know.)

At the time, the initial evaluation and report was $350 and the trainer was $1800. (The reports and device costs had a prescription from Jeff’s doctor and I have submitted to health insurance. Recently got 70% back on both the eval and the unit. In addition, I realize this is also possible that the district COULD cover the costs of the device but chose to go the health insurance route instead. This is a personal decision and of course your decision is up to you.) It was well worth the process and fees regardless if we get did not the money back.

A few more notes:
1) Device used was an FM Auditory trainer by Phonak. It is the Micro Ear Auditory trainer & X2T transmitter from www.phonak.com
2) Test period for the auditory trainer started December 15, 2003, for one week before holiday break and continually since that time. I did have Jeff NOT wear the device for two days on January 29th and 30th. People working with Jeff at school noticed a difference without the device on these days.
3) The eval forms were completed by Jeff’s Teacher and his two school aides. All forms suggested a positive response to the auditory trainer and recommended continued usage of the device.
4) Our program specialist and speech path made the recommendation for Jeff to be evaluated by a CAPD specialist.

Parent findings:

  • Our feelings prior to the use of the device was Jeff was hearing 2-3 words of a 7-8 word sentence. He would often fill in the blanks and guess at the requests, with his response based on the words heard (or processed?)

  • After the use of the device (using both in home with parents, in home with aides and at school), we have found Jeff listens better with and without the device.

  • From Carol Atkins’ CAPD report and findings, we notice when there is any background noise, Jeff has a harder time getting attention and responding to a request.

  • Jeff is using the Linguisystem – CAPD kit book 2, “Scissors, Glue & Concepts Too” and “Scissors Glue, and Grammar, Too” in the home program with great success. He is distinguishing much better between multi-step and similar instructions and responding appropriately.

  • The device has been wonderful for playground interaction/social skills, group activities (auditorium and school assemblies) and class instruction as a non-invasive way to remind Jeff what to do or get him back on task and assisting with social skills.

  • Some a uditory trainers can pick up cell phone conversations from drivers passing by the school, kids with walkie talkies playing in their backyard behind the school, a hand radio operator across the street and other radio frequencies. (TALK ABOUT OUR POOR KIDS BEING CONFUSED ENOUGH AS IT IS!)

  • There are lots of inexpensive options where feedback like the ones above can be a problem. There are more expensive ones (about two-three times the price) they operate on different frequencies that are more reliable for not allowing interruptions by these examples.

  • The ear piece on a more expensive model can be something that is fit to the child’s ear. It is a very small device that you can see if you really look at Jeff’s ear otherwise you won’t notice it. The ear piece is worn in one ear therefore allowing the child to hear with his other ear and interact with the other environment sounds: other kids, the school bell for lunch, etc.

  • We saw such benefit with Jeff and this device we bought two devices for the teacher and Jeff’s aide that could be programmed onto the same unique frequency. This does not confuse him to have two people mic’d as long as they turn their mic off when talking to other kids, teachers or conversations not involving the class/Jeff.  The microphones can be acquired in small clip on mic’s with a small transmitter (the size of a beeper) attached to the belt. It is pretty easy to wear and walk around and talk without knowing it is there.  The 2nd device I bought for the aide is a much larger device that can be worn around the neck (the aides call it a Bolero!). The device can be taken off the chain and placed on the table for when a librarian reads a book or a school assembly to pick up the sound into Jeff’s receiver.

  • I was once asked the question: "I'd also like to know how they diagnosed the problem and how it went undiagnosed for so long." I don’t think I would recommend this route really early on in the autism diagnosis. There are other things that can be evaluated first. In addition, many professionals don’t like to evaluate or diagnose CAPD issues until after the age of 6 due to key brain milestones that should occur on or about that time frame. Again, these are just my uneducated thoughts as a parent.

    IMPORTANT: It was explained to me by many professionals that children must be verbal and developmentally 5 years of age to do a Central Auditory Processing evaluation and assessment. Younger children can receive an auditory processing disorder diagnosis if they meet the criteria. Typically, Central Auditory Processing Disorder is not diagnosed until well after the age of 7 years.

Conclusion:

As with any treatment or therapy for autism – it may not always work for every child. Please work with your doctor and professional team for identifying and meeting their unique needs.

For our son, his auditory processing disorder has greatly benefited from daily exercise and a variety of therapies to help him better hear and understand the world around him.

Web & Book Resources:

Web sites:

Books:

  • When the Brain Can’t Hear, Teri James Bellis, PhD
  • The Natural Medicine Guide to Autism, Stephanie Marhon

Disclaimer: Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) provides general information of interest to the autism community. The information comes from a variety of sources, and TACA does not independently verify any of it. The views expressed herein are not necessarily TACA's. Nothing in this document should be construed as medical advice. Always consult your child's doctor regarding his or her individual needs

PAGE OPTIONS

• Printer Friendly Page

 

TACA Family Stories
Before During After

I had Christian when I was 19 years old.  For the first year of his life I couldn’t imagine anything being wrong with my baby.  He smiled; he laughed; he rolled, crawled and walked on time.  At age one he had a massive overload for his little immune system.  He had two ear infections, a high fever, back to back treatment of major antibiotics and he was given his MMR, varicella and HIB vaccines while he was still very sick.  Christian faded away for the next 6 months.

At age two he was diagnosed with full syndrome Autism.  I met an amazing mother who introduced me to the group Talk About Curing Autism.  Before I found out about TACA, I had no clue that there was hope for my child. From that day on I knew that it was my job to get my son back and undue what had been done to him.

It has been three years since Christian was diagnosed with Autism.  I had taken what I had learned from TACA, found wonderful therapists, began a diet, found a DAN! Doctor, and took control of my child’s health.  I heard his first word when he was 38 months old, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait.   

Today Christian attends a typical private preschool. He is the only child in the class with a diagnosis…and none of the other parents know that.  He speaks clearly, has friends, reads, pretends on the playground and even knows what he wants to be when he grows up (which of course changes weekly). 

I can honestly say, if I had not found that mom (you know who you are), and not been introduced to TACA, I don’t know where Christian would be today and I don’t know if I would ever have been able to help other parents starting this journey.  Thank you TACA, thank you my hero mom, and thank you Christian for fighting this with me.  I love you.

Chelsi, Washington State

2000-2007 Talk About Curing Autism Hosted by GoLiveHost