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What is the difference between ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder? | Ep. 162
Description
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Episode 18 with Dr. Tosha Strickland: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/18-dr-tosha-strickland-and-central-auditory/id1697406719?i=1000636604839
Samantha and Lauren discuss how ADHD and Central Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) can look similar, distractibility, not following directions, zoning out, school struggles, but involve different underlying challenges: ADHD affects attention regulation and executive functioning, while APD involves difficulty processing spoken information despite normal hearing.
They share examples and comparisons (e.g., difficulty in noisy classrooms, frequently saying “what,” slow verbal response time, mishearing similar words, and doing better with written/visual instructions), note that ineffective ADHD medication may indicate APD, and describe how APD can be supported with classroom microphones, hearing aids that modulate timing rather than amplify sound, reduced background noise, extra processing time, and checking understanding.
They encourage parents to advocate for evaluations through pediatricians and appropriate specialists, use practical supports like one-step directions and routines, and provide positive feedback since neurodivergent kids receive disproportionate negative feedback.
00:00 Welcome and Topic
00:23 Why They Get Confused
01:14 Medication Clue and CAPD
04:04 What ADHD Really Is
06:45 What Auditory Processing Is
08:29 Misdiagnosis and Mindset
10:46 Side by Side Examples
13:18 Conversation and Response Time
16:48 Getting Evaluated and Advocating
21:17 Practical Supports at Home
23:22 Grace and Positive Feedback
25:21 Wrap Up and Resources
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