Is your child having trouble understanding what they hear even though their hearing is fine?
This could be a sign of auditory dyslexia, also known as auditory processing disorder (APD).
It’s a condition that affects how the brain processes sounds, especially speech.
But what can you actually do for someone with auditory dyslexia?
Let’s find out!
What is Auditory Dyslexia?
Imagine you’re trying to listen to someone give directions in a busy train station. Do you hear everything clearly, or only every other word?
For someone with auditory dyslexia, it feels like all the surrounding sounds are competing for their attention. This makes it almost impossible to focus on the speaker’s voice.
It’s not that they can’t hear, but their brain has trouble filtering out background noise and making sense of the words.
What Causes Auditory Dyslexia?
We don’t know exactly what causes auditory dyslexia, but some things that might play a role include:
- It can be something that’s passed down in families.
- Babies born too early or too small might be more likely to have APD.
- Having a lot of ear infections as a child can affect how the brain develops and processes sounds.
- An injury to the head can sometimes damage the parts of the brain that deal with sound.
Auditory Dyslexia Symptoms
- Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments.
- Trouble following or understanding instructions with multiple steps.
- Challenges with language skills, making it harder to learn to read and write.
- Difficulty distinguishing between similar sounds, like “coat” and “goat.”
- Problems with memory and attention.
- Speech impediments, like trouble pronouncing Ls, Rs, and Ths, and mispronouncing certain words.
Tips for Supporting Someone With Auditory Dyslexia
Just as there are things you can do to help kids (and adults) with dyslexia, like an eyelighter, audiobooks, or different colors and fonts, there are things you can do for auditory dyslexia.
- Reduce background noise. Make sure the environment is quiet when you’re talking to someone with auditory dyslexia.
- Speak clearly and slowly. Use simple language and avoid speaking too quickly.
- Face your child when you’re talking. This helps them see your lips move and understand what you’re saying.
- Use visual aids. Pictures, diagrams, and written instructions help reinforce what you’re saying.
- Break down instructions into smaller steps. This makes it easier to follow directions.
- Be patient and understanding. Remember that auditory dyslexia is a real condition, and it’s not your child’s fault that they have trouble processing sounds.
- Speech therapy. A speech therapist can help your child develop skills to better understand and process sounds.
If you’re concerned about auditory dyslexia, contact us today to schedule a session.
How We Can Help
Guided Grace Family & Youth Services understands the challenges that auditory dyslexia can create.
It can be hard, not just on your child but also on the rest of the household.
We will work with your child and family, providing the exact services you need. These could include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Family Therapy
- Youth Services
- Music Therapy
