ABOUT APD
Information for parents/adults with APD (or who suspect it) and professionals.
Click the image or where indicated to read and download each document.
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What is APD?
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is an incurable, lifelong condition that affects the way that the brain processes sound including speech.
Please click here to read more.
APD Factsheet
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Please click here for a one-page document containing a brief list of basic facts about APD, for you to read and share.
Identifying APD
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Please click here to read more about spotting the signs and symptoms of APD and how they relate to the difficulties that can be tested for.
About APD - FAQs
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Please click here to read some frequently asked questions about APD from parents and adults with APD.
APD as a hearing disorder
APD is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a hearing disorder, as described in their 2021 "Report on Hearing" in section 1.3.3 page 37.
Please click here to read it.
The APD Journey
A document for parents/adults with APD and others discussing the journey from finding out about APD, suspecting that a child or adult may have it, through referral/diagnosis to seeking support in education and at work, and some tips
Please click here to read it.
An APD guide for medical professionals
Please click here for a document on APD for medical professionals, explaining the need for accurate identification and referral for parents and adults seeking an appropriate diagnosis. It explains why various commonly-held views are incorrect and aims to dispel some of the myths that currently exist. Please share.
APD tip for social gatherings
Coping with APD at family gatherings and other social events can be difficult. Groups of people and more noise increases the potential for sensory overload. But this one-page list of top tips can help to make them more manageable.
Ways to help someone with APD
A list of things that others can do to help someone with APD with communication, and in this way also helping them to cope better. Please click here.
GP and hospital appointments with APD
Ways to make a GP or hospital appointments more manageable for someone with APD.
More information...
Visit the other pages on the website for specific information on diagnosis, education and work, books and newsletters, badges and alert cards, access to support, and getting involved.