What is the difference between ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder? | Ep. 162

About this episode

Samantha and Lauren discuss the differences between ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder, highlighting their symptoms and support strategies for parents.

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.

People in this episode

Hosts: Samantha Foote, Lauren Ross

Topics covered

• ADHD
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• parenting strategies
• neurodiversity
• education
• support techniques

Keywords

• ADHD
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• distractibility
• school struggles
• neurodivergent kids
• parent advocacy
• classroom support

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Central Auditory Processing Disorder, ADHD, pediatricians

More episodes of Autistic and ADHD Kids Parenting Strategies: Every Brain is Different

• The Neurodivergent Family Road Trip Survival Guide | Ep. 169 · June 8, 2026 · 27 min
• How to Help Your Child With Dyslexia and Dysgraphia with Daniela Feldhausen | Ep. 168 · June 1, 2026 · 26 min
• Why Good Kids Get Bad Grades: Becoming Your Child’s Ally with Linda Silbert | Ep. 167 · May 25, 2026 · 30 min
• Why Your Child Holds It Together at School, Then Explodes at Home (And How Masking Plays a Role) | Ep. 166 · May 18, 2026 · 19 min
• Why Your Child ‘Falls Apart’ at Home (But Not at School) | Ep. 165 · May 11, 2026 · 24 min
• How to Handle Finances When You Have ADHD with Julian Kohlbrand | Ep. 164 · May 4, 2026 · 31 min