Helps reading, language & focus difficulties related to auditory processing
In-clinic program now available at home
Proven effective in 200+ scientific trials
Individualized plans, weekly reporting, affordable service with a guarantee
Understanding Central Auditory Processing Disorder
Central auditory processing disorder, CAPD or APD, causes reading problems, language delays, attention deficits, low self-esteem and learning frustration. Often there are no outward language problems.
Auditory Processing Symptoms
Early Childhood
Common difficulties include:
•Learning to speak
•Being able to rhyme
•Understanding spoken language
•Separating meaningful sounds from background noise
•Remembering stories or songs
•Staying focused on a person's voice
•Unusual sensitivity to noise
•Confusing similar sounding words
•Slow start to recognizing letter sounds in words(as opposed to alphabet)
Elementary School-Age Children
Common auditory processing problems include:
•Remembering and following spoken directions
•Difficulty with reading, sounding out in early grades or reading comprehension in 3rd grade or higher
•Inattentiveness in class, doing homework or while reading
•Seeming to ignore others when engrossed in a non-speaking activity
•Understanding people who speak quickly or mishearing words of songs on the radio
•Finding the right words to use when talking.
Middle School and High School Age Students Common difficulties include:
•Talks louder than necessary
•Reading progress stalls and/or reading reluctance develops
•Disappointing performance in high stakes tests, including handling multiple choice questions
•Remembering a list or sequence
•Often needs words or sentences repeated
•Poor ability to memorize information learned by listening
•Interprets words too literally
Why CAPD Causes So Many Learning Difficulties
All learning requires efficient language processing, but this is not easy. Natural language is lightning fast, requiring processing of up to 40 sounds a second. Listening and reading require efficient processing so that the student can think while listening or reading. Scientists estimate that 17-20% of the population do not develop the auditory processing skills required for academic success.
At Home or In Clinic Treatment For Auditory Processing Disorder
Fast ForWord Software
Our primary auditory processing disorder treatment is Fast ForWord software, a suite of programs that strengthen the cognitive skills -- processing, memory, attention, sequencing -- most affected by auditory processing disorders and then convert these new cognitive abilities into much improved reading skills. We develop an individualized protocol in each case, based on your child's unique needs and goals.
Just as a muscle always responds to exercise, Fast ForWord rewires the brain in every case. Eventual outcomes vary however. The presence of other learning impediments not treated by Fast ForWord may dampen the impact of our program.
Program For Reading Fluency & Comprehension
Central auditory processing disorder impacts phonological awareness. This is the ability to break words apart into individual sounds, called phonemes, e.g., hearing "cat" as |c| |a| |t|. If this is difficult, reading is like learning a whole new language.
By strengthening auditory processing skills, Fast ForWord builds phonological awareness, making decoding automatic and effortless. This leads directly to better reading fluency. The second phase of Fast ForWord programs converts these new cognitive abilities into improved reading comprehension.
Improving Language -- Receptive and Expressive
Receptive language skills -- following directions, engaging in class -- are sometimes compromised in children with auditory processing difficulties. If a teacher or parent is talking at 50 miles per hour but your child is processing at 45 miles per hour, there is a problem. This gap also impedes a child's ability to participate in conversation which can lead to social and other issues. Expressive language -- vocabulary, articulation and conversation skills -- are also at risk in children with CAPD.
Fast ForWord tackles language processing disorders by not only speeding up the underlying processing speed required to keep up, but also by making auditory processing more efficient and automatic so your child has time and capacity to think and observe while listening.
Treatment For Attention Deficit
Many children with auditory processing disorder have difficulties with focus. CAPD children drift off in class because listening is exhausting and/or they are missing important chunks of information, making the lessons uninteresting. The natural reaction is to tune out. Fast ForWord helps by making listening easier. Attention stamina is a central theme in Fast ForWord, making it an effective treatment for attention deficits. Some Mind Matters Clinics students have been able to get off attention meds after our program.
Mind Matters Clinics Program Overview
Mind Matters Clinics is one of the longest private providers of the Fast ForWord program for in clinic or home use in the United States. Fast ForWord has helped over one million students process faster and more efficiently, making it the leading treatment for auditory processing disorder nationwide. Mind Matters Clinics has been providing this powerful, computer based program in a home setting or in our beautiful state-of the-art clinic in Madison, Wisconsin since 1995.
Why Fast ForWord Works
Fast ForWord is uniquely intense. It uses adaptive sound exercises that make every click count to strengthen processing speed, accuracy and efficiency. It also has exercises that build attention stamina and working memory skills, weaknesses often associated with central auditory processing problems. The software uses repetitive exercises that slowly builds in speed and complexity, gradually pulling the student up to learning proficiency.
For most students, after 4 – 6 weeeks of exercise, reading is easier, their language skills are improved, school and homework are both less daunting, and in world that has now slowed down for them, they are more confident and focused.
Mind Matters Clinics Service Description
Students work on our downloaded Fast ForWord software on their home computer for 30 minutes a day. Their work is then automatically uploaded to our server where it is reviewed by a Mind Matters Clinics professional who provides constant guidance, adjusting your child's individualized program protocols as needed. We provide a virtual in-center feel with personal phone or email support. Your Next Step
Because Fast ForWord works at a fundamental level, it is able to improve a wide range of reading and learning skills in an enduring way. However, every child is different. The best way to find out if your child is a candidate for our program is to call 608.233.MIND (6463) for a free consultation.
