Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Encouragement and Support for Parents

ByHomeschool OT

When it comes to supporting our children, few things are as discouraging as watching them struggle with something we don’t fully understand. If you’ve ever found yourself repeating directions, noticing your child struggles with reading, or worrying that they just “aren’t hearing” you—even when their hearing tests look absolutely normal—you’re not alone. These questions and concerns are at the heart of many parent conversations, and it’s exactly why we invited Dr. Jody Jedlicka, audiologist and cognitive training specialist, to share her expertise on auditory processing disorder (APD).

Let’s talk about what APD is, and more importantly, what we can do about it—together.

The Real Impact of Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Processing Disorder is not about a child’s ears—it’s about their brain. As Dr. Jedlicka explains, children with APD can often “pass a hearing test,” yet behave as though they have a hearing loss. Everyday experiences, like trying to follow directions in a noisy classroom or decode new vocabulary while reading, can feel overwhelming. Imagine trying to catch an important airport announcement in a crowded terminal with poor sound quality. That’s what daily listening can feel like for a child with APD.

Maybe your child has experienced multiple ear infections or struggles to distinguish similar sounds (think “ar” versus “ir”). Perhaps they shut down in noisy environments or seem to thrive on movement and touch more than words. These can all be clues pointing to underlying auditory processing difficulties.

Practical Signs to Watch For

If you’re wondering whether this is something you need to explore further, here are some red flags Dr. Jedlicka encourages parents to notice:

  • Difficulty following multi-step directions (especially in noisy or group settings)
  • Problems with reading and spelling that seem tied to confusion over similar sounds
  • Taking things very literally—missing sarcasm or humor
  • Challenges with new concepts or vocabulary, even if intelligence and curiosity are strong
  • Withdrawing in social situations, especially those with lots of background noise
  • Needing extra time to respond during conversations or process spoken instructions

It isn’t always a quiet, simple process. Just as in a mixed-age co-op handicraft session, there’s often organized chaos, differing abilities, and a need for adaptation.

Diagnosis and What’s Next

One of the biggest frustrations for parents, Dr. Jedlicka shares, is the difficulty in finding specialists who can diagnose and support APD. Audiologists who specialize in APD are “few and far between,” but don’t let that stop you from seeking answers. Speech therapists can often provide support, and sometimes the right interventions can begin even before a formal diagnosis. The key is recognizing the unique needs of your child and knowing that there are professionals ready to walk this road with you.

The Good News: APD Is Treatable

There is so much hope here! As parents, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when facing a challenge that impacts home, school, and social life. Dr. Jedlicka encourages us that APD is not only manageable, but highly treatable. With targeted, one-on-one training—whether through a speech-language pathologist, cognitive trainer, or programs like LearningRx—children can and do make noticeable progress.

A few practical adaptations:

  • Give instructions one at a time, and make eye contact.
  • Use phonics-based reading instruction for children struggling with reading.
  • Focus on building up those challenging sounds through practice and games.
  • Be patient—kids are often “working twice as hard” to do what comes easily to others.
  • Collaborate with therapists who will include you in the process, leading to better carryover at home.

Building Skills and Confidence—Together

Just as no handicraft project looks the same for every co-op child, each child’s journey with APD will be unique. What matters most is the encouragement and adaptability of the adults walking alongside them.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not failing your child. Quite the opposite—by seeking understanding and support, you’re giving them a powerful advantage.

Dr. Jedlicka reminds us that parents are “uniquely qualified to help at home.” Even small shifts in how we give directions, structure reading lessons, or interact during noisy moments can make a world of difference.

Resources and Next Steps

Still looking for answers? Connect with others—there is community and wisdom in shared experience. Start with a local audiology clinic or a trusted speech therapist. Explore cognitive training options, like those available through LearningRx, even virtually. Look for online resources and home programs—but always remember that professional guidance yields the best results.

OT is IN #64- Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families

Dr. Jody Jedlicka and I explore the signs and symptoms of APD, delve into its close connections with reading, speech, and even other sensory systems, and break down the process of getting a diagnosis. Most importantly, we highlight the hope and progress possible through effective treatments like auditory training and phonics-based reading support. With practical advice for parents, insight into how speech-language pathologists and audiologists work together, and recommendations for finding resources—even when specialists are hard to come by—this episode is packed with valuable guidance for families navigating APD.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

  • Introduction of guest, Dr. Jody Jedlicka, AuD
  • Jody started as an educational audiologist in Milwaukee Public Schools.
  • Responsibilities included hearing screenings and classroom support for hearing-impaired students.
  • Early realization about the impact of hearing on learning and reading.
  • Moved on to clinical supervision at University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
  • Led graduate students; gained experience in auditory processing testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • Involvement with LearningRx for treatment options.
  • Overview of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
  • Definition: Neurological condition affecting how the brain interprets sounds, especially speech.
  • Individuals often have normal peripheral hearing but difficulties processing sound.
  • Real-life example: Challenges understanding announcements in noisy environments (like airports).
  • Behavioral manifestations: Appearing to have hearing loss despite passing hearing tests.
  • Relationship Between Auditory Processing and Reading/Speech
  • APD’s impact on interpreting speech sounds.
  • Difficulty filling in missing speech sounds (auditory closure).
  • Critical role of auditory processing in reading.
  • Blind individuals can read Braille with good auditory processing, but hearing-challenged individuals struggle more.
  • Connection between APD and speech issues.
  • Can stem from genetics, auditory deprivation (e.g., frequent ear infections), or developmental factors.
  • Difficulty hearing certain sounds can impact both speech and literacy (e.g., issues with the “R” sound and spelling).
  • Diagnosis and Treatment of Auditory Processing Disorder
  • Challenges in diagnosis
  • Intersection of speech and audiology in treatment.
  • Speech therapists as a starting point if audiologists aren’t available.
  • Outcomes of APD overlap with things speech pathologists address (reading problems, following directions, listening in noise).
  • Mention of alternative programs, such as LearningRx.
  • Exploring the Link Between APD and the Vestibular System
  • Parent perspective: Children with a history of ear infections often seek vestibular (movement) input.
  • Signs and Symptoms of APD Parents Might Observe
  • Expanded explanation of types of APD:
  • Discrimination difficulties (hearing specific sounds).
  • Prosody difficulties (interpreting tone/nuance).
  • Integration: Putting all the information together.

Links and Resources From Today’s Show

Connect with our Guest, Jody Jedlicka, AuD

As Director of Support, Dr. Jody Jedlicka oversees the support of brain training programs and business processes for all LearningRx Centers and their owners. Jody and her husband, an educational psychologist, have owned 3 LearningRx centers in Wisconsin and Hawaii and know firsthand the day-to-day life of an owner/director. Dr. Jody is an audiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children with auditory processing disorders. It was her search for effective treatment options for her patients that led her to LearningRx in 2004. She is also a certified success coach and trainer. Originally from Wisconsin, Jody has been married for more than 36 years, is mom to 3 adult children, grandma to 5 grandchildren and dog-mom to her rescue, Mikey. She spends her free time with family – traveling, biking, exploring breweries and restaurants and cheering for Milwaukee Brewers baseball. She also co-hosts a podcast, The Sisterhood of Success, with her sister.

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