Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

Dr. Jody Jedlicka and I explore the signs and symptoms of APD, delve into its close connections with reading, speech, and even other sensory systems, and break down the process of getting a diagnosis. Most importantly, we highlight the hope and progress possible through effective treatments like auditory training and phonics-based reading support. With practical advice for parents, insight into how speech-language pathologists and audiologists work together, and recommendations for finding resources—even when specialists are hard to come by—this episode is packed with valuable guidance for families navigating APD.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Introduction of guest, Dr. Jody Jedlicka, AuD
• Jody started as an educational audiologist in Milwaukee Public Schools.
• Responsibilities included hearing screenings and classroom support for hearing-impaired students.
• Early realization about the impact of hearing on learning and reading.
• Moved on to clinical supervision at University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
• Led graduate students; gained experience in auditory processing testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Involvement with LearningRx for treatment options.
• Overview of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
• Definition: Neurological condition affecting how the brain interprets sounds, especially speech.
• Individuals often have normal peripheral hearing but difficulties processing sound.
• Real-life example: Challenges understanding announcements in noisy environments (like airports).
• Behavioral manifestations: Appearing to have hearing loss despite passing hearing tests.
• Relationship Between Auditory Processing and Reading/Speech
• APD’s impact on interpreting speech sounds.
• Difficulty filling in missing speech sounds (auditory closure).
• Critical role of auditory processing in reading.
• Blind individuals can read Braille with good auditory processing, but hearing-challenged individuals struggle more.
• Connection between APD and speech issues.
• Can stem from genetics, auditory deprivation (e.g., frequent ear infections), or developmental factors.
• Difficulty hearing certain sounds can impact both speech and literacy (e.g., issues with the “R” sound and spelling).
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Auditory Processing Disorder
• Challenges in diagnosis
• Intersection of speech and audiology in treatment.
• Speech therapists as a starting point if audiologists aren’t available.
• Outcomes of APD overlap with things speech pathologists address (reading problems, following directions, listening in noise).
• Mention of alternative programs, such as LearningRx.
• Exploring the Link Between APD and the Vestibular System
• Parent perspective: Children with a history of ear infections often seek vestibular (movement) input.
• Signs and Symptoms of APD Parents Might Observe
• Expanded explanation of types of APD:
• Discrimination difficulties (hearing specific sounds).
• Prosody difficulties (interpreting tone/nuance).
• Integration: Putting all the information together.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• LearningRX
• Auditory Processing Disorder (ADP) Symptoms
• Successful Treatment Techniques For Auditory Processing Disorders- Key Takeaways
• The Listening Program To Improve Auditory Processing Disorders
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective
• Episode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it All
• Episode 48: Transforming Fashion for Sensory Needs: An Interview with Julia, Adaptive Apparel Pioneer
• Connect With Sarah On Instagram

Connect with our Guest, Jody Jedlicka, AuD

As Director of Support, Dr. Jody Jedlicka oversees the support of brain training programs and business processes for all LearningRx Centers and their owners. Jody and her husband, an educational psychologist, have owned 3 LearningRx centers in Wisconsin and Hawaii and know firsthand the day-to-day life of an owner/director. Dr. Jody is an audiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children with auditory processing disorders. It was her search for effective treatment options for her patients that led her to LearningRx in 2004. She is also a certified success coach and trainer. Originally from Wisconsin, Jody has been married for more than 36 years, is mom to 3 adult children, grandma to 5 grandchildren and dog-mom to her rescue, Mikey. She spends her free time with family – traveling, biking, exploring breweries and restaurants and cheering for Milwaukee Brewers baseball. She also co-hosts a podcast, The Sisterhood of Success, with her sister.