Auditory Process Disorder Pre Reading curriculum

[RachelandRyan]

I am trying to decide which way to go after screening my child through the Barton System. He is showing signs of mild Auditory Processing Disorder. I noticed the disconnect when we began Logic Of English. Now, do I stop and try Foundation in Sounds, which is recommended by Barton, or Diane Craft Right Brain? I'm having trouble finding any review on these two programs. Although the few things I've found on Dianne Craft's program seems intense and for older students. Any thoughts or other suggestions are welcomed. 

[PeterPan]

None of the curriculum will actually treat the APD. It's an auditory processing of *language* disorder so you're looking for an SLP who specializes in it or possibly an audiologist. You'll know when you have the right person. My ds has been working with an SLP for it for a couple years now. I also did work with him using materials you can buy at ProEdInc.com. I used the 3 volume set for auditory processing and the SLP is using the other materials (look up the name there). Really though, it's handy to have someone else doing it because they can bring nuance, consistency, and fine tuning. My ds got radical improvements the first 6 months to a year working with her and now they just continue to target pesky nuances (particular sounds that are hard for him to process, using his working memory while processing, etc. etc.). So you can do a lot but an SLP or audiologist who has gotten good at working on it will bring even more. 

As for the learning to read, we did our work before FIS came out. At that time Barton recommended LIPS, which is still the most powerful tool as it directly correlates production to sound. It was developed by SLPs and my ds had moderate/severe verbal apraxia, making it the most powerful tool. I combined it with his speech therapy metholodogy to get the visual + hands.

Dianne Craft's program is pulling together a lot of concepts so you might consider getting an OT eval if you think you have need for that. Her stuff is great (from what I've seen) but you have this learning curve to even know why you need to do it. A good OT eval will help with that learning curve. Your dc very likey has retained primitive/neonatal reflexes, and integrating those is another pivotal step in language development. DC is including info on that I think, but without the in person evals you don't know why you need it. There are different systems for reflex integration but MNRI is one to look for if you can find someone trained in it.

[kbutton]

igaps.org is the place to go to find a professional to diagnose and treat APD.

[Terabith]

If I was choosing between those two resources, I would just do Foundations in Sounds.  

[heartlikealion]

As a parent with a child that has APD I honestly don’t know if that’s something easy to advise. My son actually fooled the child psychologist regarding APD because he scored well on a phonemic awareness or phonics section on a test. Later we got the diagnosis from a qualified audiologist. 

Your child may or may not struggle in areas you predict. 

We relied heavily on an online program (used offline materials as well). He went through Time4learning. In our daily lives he would struggle with 3-step directions (forgetting what else you needed him to do). He’s in high school now (brick & mortar) and doing well academically. He opted not to get any aids and did go through a program for a while that the audiologist adjusted to train his brain or whatever but he said he didn’t get anything out of it and resented doing it. 

I know that’s not much help but just letting you know that language arts on their own may not be the thing to focus on so much as just if the student is retaining and focusing. My son really struggled with retaining info if I read aloud to him. But he was undiagnosed at the time so I felt very confused about why read alouds felt like a waste of time. 

[SFisher]

On 5/25/2024 at 3:20 AM, heartlikealion said:

He opted not to get any aids and did go through a program for a while that the audiologist adjusted to train his brain or whatever but he said he didn’t get anything out of it and resented doing it. 

Could you tell me more about his APD subtypes. And why he chose not to use aids?

My son is 10 and has a newer diagnosis, trying to figure out how to best support him & consider his opinions & preferences as well.

[heartlikealion]

11 minutes ago, SFisher said:

Could you tell me more about his APD subtypes. And why he chose not to use aids?

My son is 10 and has a newer diagnosis, trying to figure out how to best support him & consider his opinions & preferences as well.

I don’t think details were given about a subtype? She did send a report (can’t find in my emails, not sure if I still have) but I’m sure it was mostly indecipherable to me. 

My son said he didn’t want to sit at the front of the class or wear aids but had he received his diagnosis earlier he may have wanted aids in grade 5. 6th grade he was homeschooled and 7th grade in private school he finally got his testing. The delay in testing was due to no support from spouse and his primary care provider and the financial cost. Insurance did not cover it. And if you get the aids, those are very expensive. AND we didn’t want to ask teachers (in a middle school or high school setting he had several) to wear and pass around a receiver or whatever it was called. 

My son may or may not accept the diagnosis. He’s said post test that he doesn’t even have APD. 

I notice he misses important info sometimes and cannot tell what the root cause is (he also has ADD). We played laser tag recently and the video pointed out 2x you must place a hand under the gun. His gun wasn’t working for several min of game play and another player told him. 

If your son is more receptive I’m sure you’ll have an easier time.  

[SFisher]

OP, I accidentally came across this article the other day. I think the numbered items at the bottom are helpful in explaining how you can adjust curriculum for a kid with APD.

Although I think some of the stuff at the top is a bit of a sales ploy… there’s not one silver bullet perfect curriculum.

https://blog.allaboutlearningpress.com/auditory-processing-disorder/

[SFisher]

On 5/31/2024 at 9:23 AM, heartlikealion said:

 

If your son is more receptive I’m sure you’ll have an easier time.  

Thank you, it sounds like personality/temperment/personal experiences have a lot to do with accepting accommodations.

I would say my son is receptive - he likes extra time, small group testing, 1:1 help, but is more hesitant to do other things like assistive tech. Does not like working in the hall alone. 

we had a school staff member that said small group testing is very different and kids can hate it. My kid has no qualms about it. Likes the removal of extra sound & less awareness that other students are finishing before him. I think we just have to try things out & see.