Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)

crazymama30

Active Member
So difficult child has been diagnosis'd with NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) traits--he has lots of visual spacial processing issues and many other symptoms of NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD), and some sort of Auditory Processing Disorders (APD)--the neuropsychologist referred us to a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) for further testing, but stated many times that Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) was not in the dsm but that he had something going on with his auditory processing. I read some on Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) and difficult child almost fits it to a T.

Can anyone recommend any good books and or websites? I have found some,but would like to get a book or two and prefer ones that someone recommends before I spend money on it.
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
I don't know of any books, but you have me curious. NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) "traits?" Was testing involved. A NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) means a discrepency of twenty points in a child's verbal and performance level IQ. Who diagnosed her?
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
Don't know of any good books, but you can try searching on "auditory filtering" and "auditory focus" and "auditory discrimination" as well as Auditory Processing Disorders (APD)...
These are sub-sets of Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) that do not show "classic" traits, but are just as much of a problem. They didn't used to test for this... but it's fairly significant. If you're screening for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)/Auditory Processing Disorders (APD), bring these up too.
In brief - these affect the ability to manage what one hears in the midst of distraction - teacher in a noisy classroom for example. Note: teacher will say classroom isn't noisy... it IS noisy, but people with normal auditory processing automatically filter out the paper-rustling etc. - so they aren't aware of how much noise is really there!

If you're dealing with both Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)... the needs for those two work against each other, to some extent.
 

Ktllc

New Member
There are a couple books that have been suggested to me by this forum: "sound through water" and "when the brain can't hear"
I have not purchased them yet (my library don't have them.... grrrr).
I find it quite hard to find good resources for Auditory Processing Disorders (APD)/Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD).
My difficult child also fits almost to the T.
I would suggest you have a thorough hearing test as well. The sysmptoms of a hearing loss would be very similar, but the cause and treatment obviously different.
After you see the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), if auditory issues are still suspected, you will be referred to an audiologist.
Let us know what you make out.
husband has lived with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) his whole life and he can testify that things get better/easier over time. His school experience was catastrophic, but ended up having a good, successful life.
 

justour2boys

Momto2Boys
Auditory Processing Disorders (APD)... now that I know about. My oldest was "screened" by private and school's Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and they suggested Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) when my now 7th grader was in K. He was then officially diagnosis with Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) in 3rd grade by a private Audiologist. The school then put a 504 plan in place.

The "best" book to read about Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) is "When the Brain Can't Hear" by Teri Bellis, and I would recommend reading it first. "Like Sound Through Water" is a mothers story of her son's struggles with Auditory Processing Disorders (APD), and it can be a bit overwhelming to read.

The best place to "start" is to find an Audioloist that specializes in Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) and have your difficult child screened. Once you have a diagnosis, you can figure out the best way to move forward.

If you need some online info and/or resources, just let me know.
 

crazymama30

Active Member
He was evaluated by a neuropsychologist. She said her tests could not clearly define the auditory processing problem but that he definitely had one and to follow up with a speech therapist to further investigate.


She also said that while he did not meet enough criteria to be diagnosis'd with NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD), he has many of the traits. Lots of visual processing issues that go along with it an she wanted it to be documented so that is why she said NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) traits.


He is Complex kiddo, nothing I did not know there.
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
He is Complex kiddo, nothing I did not know there.

Its possible that your child has multiple things going on, but no one thing "really stands out".
So... the neuropsychologist was probably erring on the safe side... if something doesn't quite add up, at least flag it for further testing rather than ignoring it.

A kid can have clinically-significant Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) traits, and not meet the diagnostic cut-off. Most psychiatrists won't tell you about the clinically significant stuff unless you meet cutoff - this does NOT sound like your neuropsychologist!
Its also possible to have "atypical" cases of various problems... and those aren't always obvious either.

Keep digging. If he's complex, then understand that you're going to end up with multiple dxes - and it will take more than one round to find them all, because some won't show up until you start dealing with the others (medications, therapy, and/or accomodations).
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
Ok, thanks.
So he acts like a kid with a NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD), but doesn't have that IQ descrepency is my guess. Sounds like you got a really insightful neuropsychologist!
 

crazymama30

Active Member
I think out was geeky helpful to her that she was one of the facilators in. the social skills group he was in.


I forgot to add, difficult child has had several hearing tests earlier in life due to how loud he spoke. They always came back normal. I could have a more recent one done, but really I think his hearing is fine, it is his brain that misfires.
 
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krisofalaska

New Member
Hi, I was surfing for info on Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) when I read your post. My daughter (8) was just diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) after testing, testing and more testing. I will add wrong testing as well. she fit some criteria for NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) but it just didn't add up. I added her balance, frustration, sensitive to sounds. I was told many times it was ADHD and even Aspergers. It all didn't add up.
The diagnoses came after going to an Audiologist (they can only diagnose Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and do specific tests that you need to ask for and not all do them).
We are now doing a Listening Therapy (just started) and hope we can retrain the neuropathways. Our hopes are high to help her frustration. Remember you need to search for facts not opinions of Dr.'s there are certain tests you can do to give you facts, otherwise you will be tied down to "parent questionaires" and "opinions of Dr.'s" which most do not know your child. Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is a processing brain disorder that can be helped. Most Dr.'s will look at "behaviors" not why they have the "behaviors"
I hope that helps, I just went through our long jouney and hope to help some with the direction to go so they save time and money... Good luck
 

buddy

New Member
Gotto go to MOA but will chime in later... this makes a ton of sense from your previous posts because these two can very much look like Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).... SO GLAD you are findng some answers! Will dig thru my stuff for you okay? TTFN, Dee
 

soapbox

Member
he has lots of visual spacial processing issues
Has he had an Occupational Therapist (OT) evaluation for motor and sensory issues? neuropsychologist doesn't necessarily cover that. But... almost sounds a bit like Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) might be a factor. Its tough to get that as a diagnosis (even though its in DSM...) - but the Occupational Therapist (OT) can catch a range of motor skills issues, including visual/spatial coordiation...

Good website for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and other motor issues: CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research
(run by research OTs at a Canadian University)


and some sort of Auditory Processing Disorders (APD)--the neuropsychologist referred us to a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) for further testing, but stated many times that Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) was not in the dsm but that he had something going on with his auditory processing. I read some on Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) and difficult child almost fits it to a T.
Yes, pursue through Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) - but you will end up needing advanced audiological testing - Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) just does screening on APDs. SPECIFICALLY ask about APDs outside of classical Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). One commonly missed issue is when the person has trouble with "auditory figure ground". For these people... their hearing is normal, and their language processing is normal. But their auditory "filters" don't work very well - so, in a noisy environment (classrooms are beyond awful!), it is difficult to focus on the important sound - the teacher's voice. The more effort you have to put in to catch the words, the less effort is available to actually process what is heard. If you don't catch what was said, you get in trouble for not paying attention, or not being careful, or.......! APDs often "look like" ADD/ADHD to a teacher - and yes, ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) can be co-morbid (not unusual). I haven't found a really good source of info on this yet, though... just our own experience and what the specialists have told us.
 
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