Auditory processing testing - who/where? (NY)

amother

Thu, Sep 11 2014, 10:22 pm

My preschool age child is being evaluated for social and other difficulties and it occurred to me that some of the problems the evaluators described could be auditory processing symptoms and I'd like to have that tested just in case. They said they do not think the DOE does that, but they might provide services if I can have it done in time for my IEP meeting (which does not have a date yet but is probably soonish since the other parts of the evaluation are done already)

Does anyone know where in NY I can get a good quality evaluation of auditory processing, preferably covered by our Child Health Plus plan?

Also wondering how it is treated, if it does turn out to be an issue, so I know what to ask for from the DOE.

Tirza

Fri, Sep 12 2014, 1:43 am

You can get auditory procesing testing at Dr. Pollak's office 718-421-2782
They're on West 6th St. in Brooklyn. It's called Audiology Central. http://www.pollakaudiological.com/
They have an audiologist there that is specially trained in this. She tested my son, and she was just great with him and explained everythig very clearly for us. If your child tests positive for APD, she will explain treatment/management options, like using an FM unit in school, therapy with a speech therapist, or computerized programs that help.

amother

Fri, Sep 12 2014, 8:21 am

Auditory specialist here: in NY, I would recommend either Lois Kam Heymann at the Center for Hearing and Communication OR Pnina Bravmann at StrivRight/Auditory Oral School of New York. The first is in Manhattan and the second in Brooklyn. You can find both of them by Googling.

Beware those who offer computerized programs to treat APD. They have absolutely no independent research supporting their efficacy, only "studies" conducted by the companies themselves to justify their products. Don't get duped!

mummiedearest

Fri, Sep 12 2014, 9:48 am

amother wrote:

your child is too young to be diagnosed with auditory processing disorder. I second dr. pollack's office, they're very nice. but they don't take insurance for this evaluation, iirc it costs $450. they sent me to LICH, which closed recently. they may be able to help you find another option. but preschool is not old enough for the test to tell you anything accurately. I think they can diagnose from age seven or so. but you should go for a hearing test, and you may want to ask for a speech in noise test. ask about it, anyway. they can do that together with the regular hearing test.

amother

Fri, Sep 12 2014, 10:01 am

OP here. Out of curiosity because you seem knowledgeable, why can't a 4-year-old be diagnosed with this? I can't imagine someone suddenly starts having difficulty in this area at 7. It seems sad that she could get started in the next few years getting diagnosed with autism or ADHD or who knows what and have ongoing difficulties when maybe really she's just having a hard time processing sounds. It seems possible to me because at home where it's just me, her, and a baby she seems fine, follows directions, has conversations, etc, but in school she withdraws, takes a few tries to follow directions, and does not understand how to interact with other kids. Could be she's shy, or socially anxious, or has a social learning disability --- or maybe just can't sort out figure/ground noises enough to function in a classroom or social scene! I just wish I could KNOW!

mummiedearest

Fri, Sep 12 2014, 11:24 am

amother wrote:

because the system isn't fully developed until seven. that doesn't mean they won't have issues with it beforehand, but they can't know it's exactly that until then. you can test anyway, but the only way that would help you would be if she tests negative.

have you considered sensory issues? I thought both my kids had auditory processing disorder. they both tested negative. they both have sensory issues, though, so it looks like their issues in school may be a result of a sensory overload. they don't really follow directions well at home either, but it's a lot more noticeable in school. however, from what you say, I would suggest you set up some playdates with her on weekends. if she gets to know her classmates one on one, she may have an easier time in school.

amother

Fri, Sep 12 2014, 1:31 pm

Yes, the original reason I requested evaluation was due to sensory concerns and minor social/emotional concerns, but now what I'm hearing from the evaluator is making me much more concerned about the social things because she described her being very out of it in school, which I don't see at home but maybe because we don't get together with other kids so often. When we do get together with other families, she tends to gravitate towards their older kids and take more of a follower/baby role. Almost all of her classmates were in her nursery last year so she is pretty familiar with them.

I called StrivRight and they were very helpful. They said that while they don't test for it formally at this age, what they do is their evaluators in speech, education, etc, will note in their observations if they have symptoms consistent with APD, they don't diagnose but they label them as a concern and get more services because of that. But since we already had her evaluation started by a different, more generic agency, it's too late to do that but we can still on our own find a SEIT and therapists who are skilled and knowledgeable about this and then request those specific therapists. The school she's in anyway has their own SEIT team so I'm going to talk to them and pray that they know what they're doing all around because anyway I don't think they're going to let anyone else in, and I need her to get the help in school because individually with adults she doesn't seem to have these issues.