How to Teach a College Student with Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition that makes it harder for students to understand the things they hear. A college student with APD will benefit from written instructions, flexibility, and a little extra processing time—which can be good for the class in general too. Here is how to help a college student with APD succeed in your class.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Understanding the Student

  1. 1
    Understand what Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) entails. Students with APD are not technically hard of hearing—their brain struggles to process the sounds they hear. Here are some potential results of APD: [1]
    • Mishearing things
    • Not hearing things
    • Struggling to remember spoken information
    • Difficulty maintaining conversation/focus when there is background noise
    • Mixing up lists that were spoken only
    • Difficulty noticing sarcasm and other subtleties in speech
    • Struggling to understand words based on acoustics, such as in an auditorium or coming from the speaker of a TV
    • Trouble with memorization
    • Trouble taking notes and listening at the same time
  2. 2
    Talk to the student about their specific needs. Different people with APD may have slightly different needs, and you don't know how severe the student's APD is. Talk to them and ask how you can best accommodate them. A student with mild APD may only need a few basic accommodations, while a student with serious APD may need a lot of extra support.
    • Encourage them to come talk to you again if they realize they need extra help with something. Students can't always foretell exactly what they will struggle with in class.
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  3. 3
    Talk to the school disability center. The school's disability services should have options for students with APD.
    • Students with APD may use the disability center to take their tests, where they can have a private room and take extra time.
    • Ask the student if they are registered with the disability center. If not, encourage them to do so.
  4. 4
    Keep in mind that the student may be facing additional challenges. Students with APD may have issues with self-esteem, [2] and they may have additional conditions too. It helps to be patient and understanding with any difficulties they may have.
    • APD sometimes tags along with other conditions like autism or ADHD.
    • Some people may blame a student with APD for their condition, calling them lazy or stupid. This can hurt the student's self-esteem. Keep this in mind, and make an effort to be encouraging.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making Lessons Accessible

  1. 1
    Keep the classroom reasonably quiet. Background noise can be distracting and frustrating for students with APD. [3] [4] If things are getting noisy, quiet the class.
    • Feel free to check in with the student about how the noise level is working for them. This way, they can tell you if it's too loud (and also let you know if things are going well).
  2. 2
    Talk to the student about assigned seating, if applicable. Students with APD may prefer to sit in front, away from distractions like doors and windows. [5] This depends on the student. If you assign seating, ask the student where they want to sit.
  3. 3
    Consider allowing the student to record audio of the lecture. This can allow the student to listen to the lecture again, to help them pick up more of the information. They'll also be able to go back and replay parts they might have had trouble understanding. [6]
    • Some professors even upload lecture audio or video to sites like YouTube, which auto-generates captions.
  4. 4
    Make lecture notes visible and easy to access. Students with APD learn better when they can see the material. [7] Try using power points, or writing important points on the board.
    • Post any lecture materials online. If you post them before class starts, then the student can download them and follow along.
  5. 5
    Turn on subtitles if you show videos. Acoustics can affect the student's ability to understand what they hear, and the audio quality from speakers may not be very great. Turning on subtitles can help ensure that the student hears everything correctly.
    • Even if the subtitles are computer-generated or somewhat inaccurate, that can still be easier for the student than having no subtitles at all.
  6. 6
    Write down any important information. If something isn't written down, then the student might not be aware of it. Write down anything that you want your students to know, both about lessons and about schoolwork (like exam dates, due dates, or class cancellations). Try to be clear and specific.
    • Try writing down information about homework and upcoming tests in a consistent place, so the student can check.
    • You can quickly check with the student after class, to make sure that they heard any important announcements and understood the material.

    Tip: Write all announcements on the class website to make sure everyone can see them.

  7. 7
    Keep the pace reasonable. Try to avoid speeding through or glossing over the material. If you tend to be a fast talker, try to slow down a little, and give pauses. [8]
    • When you ask the class a question, pause and give students a moment to think, before you call on anyone.
    • This doesn't mean that you need to take everything at a snail's pace. Find a reasonable speed, so that students have time to take in and think about the material.
  8. 8
    Be supportive and encouraging about students asking you for help. Some students may feel embarrassed or awkward about asking for help related to disability. [9] A kind, forgiving attitude can help your student feel more comfortable around you.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What are some of the symptoms of auditory processing disorder in kids?
    Tiffany Jumaily, MD
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Dr. Tiffany Jumaily is a Board Certified Pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) based in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience in the medical field, Dr. Jumaily specializes in identifying the root cause of symptoms and presenting manifestations of disease. She holds a BA in Biology from Boston University and an MD from Boston University School of Medicine. Her dedication to combining evidence-based allopathic medicine with complementary and alternative therapies has led to her being featured and cited in various platforms including U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and CBS Los Angeles.
    Tiffany Jumaily, MD
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Expert Answer
    Kids with auditory processing disorders are very sensitive to normal sounds. They might become very upset with the noise of the traffic on the street or the noise of the TV when it's on. It could also present more as just trouble understanding when someone is talking to them, or when someone is trying to communicate a point. They hear the words but have trouble processing them and really understanding what's going on. They might have trouble following along in the classroom or following directions at home.
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      Tips

      • Students with APD may struggle with spelling. On exams, be forgiving about spelling errors. [10]
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      • Some students may use headphones or earplugs to block out background noise. [11] If you see this, assume that the student is making their best effort to listen.
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      • Keep in mind that students with APD may fatigue more easily. Trying to process everything can be hard work! [12]
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      Warnings

      • Don't mistake a slow processing speed for low intelligence. Students with APD aren't necessarily any more or less intelligent.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/auditory-processing-disorder/understanding-auditory-processing-disorder
      2. ↑ https://www.gemmlearning.com/blog/auditory-processing/apd-and-low-self-esteem/
      3. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/apd-factsheet.html
      4. ↑ https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/take-it-from-me-auditory-processing-disorder-in-class
      5. ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/classroom-accommodations-for-auditory-processing-disorder
      6. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/school-success-kit-for-kids-with-auditory-processing-issues/
      7. ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/classroom-accommodations-for-auditory-processing-disorder
      8. ↑ https://www.soundskills.co.nz/news/Auditory-Processing-Disorder-Strategies-for-the-Classroom
      9. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/apd-factsheet.html
      1. ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/classroom-accommodations-for-auditory-processing-disorder
      2. ↑ https://childmind.org/article/school-success-kit-for-kids-with-auditory-processing-issues/
      3. ↑ https://www.soundskills.co.nz/news/Auditory-Processing-Disorder-Strategies-for-the-Classroom

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