[senco-forum] ADD

Hi Mary 

If I can just add a bit more here to add to what Aly has already said.
The problems of APD recognition in the UK have increase awareness of a whole
range of phonological or auditory problems which had not been previously
been fully appreciated or detected. And as with the corresponding Visual
processing issues that can cause dyslexic symptoms there also are a range of
similar but different Auditory issues now being noticed by say Educational
Psychologists and others, who are at the first incidents are describing the
problems as being potentially APD, and these cases are referred to GOSH, and
the specialists there are able to provide a more specific and correct
diagnosis with the expertise and technology they have to provide an accurate
diagnosis. And the treatment does vary according the nature of the auditory
problems diagnosed. So it is worth the bother to find out so that the child
can begin to work out the best ways forward for them whatever the correct
diagnosis, do nothing is failing any child in the long term, it may best
suite the education system to do nothing, but this will not help the child
outside the education system especially when he/she leaves school.

As mentioned above APD recognition relatively new in the UK and The MRC etc
are still working at developing diagnostic tests for the new wider
definitions of APD, that have prevailed since 2000. This is an on going
Global Research project, with the present focus being developments in
Australia. Researchers are still developing the technology to understand the
underlying causes of original 4 models of APD, and more. 

There have been well documented links between APD and some attention issues,
and in some instances many have been wrongly diagnoses as having ADD and due
to a lack of communication processing skills caused by APD a miss diagnosis
of autism (this almost happened to one of my sons, and the reason we had
another son tested for ADD just to have it eliminated from future
assessments before he was diagnosed as having APD) The good description of
these issues can be found at "ATTENTION & MEMORY ASPECTS OF APD" by ALAN B.
GERTNER, Ph.D.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS & DEAFNESS KEAN UNIVERSITY
UNION, NEW JERSEY (FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF AUDIOLOGY)
http://apd.apduk.org/atten_mem_and_apd.htm 
or from his own web site at
http://www.homestead.com/agertner/page5.html 

best wishes

dolfrog

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Mary Kelly
Sent: 24 February 2007 11:31
To: Olanys at aol.com; senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] ADD

These are exactly my thoughts. However, auditory processing difficulties (or
at least phonological difficulties) are always part of dyslexia. I can't see
what would be gained by trying for a diagnosis of APD when (a) there is only
one place to get one and (b) I hear tell that only 2% of the cases referred
to GOSH are actually diagnosed as APD.
This is a child with no behaviour problems whatsoever. He keeps himself to
himself and gets on with whatever is asked of him ... But he always has
done. So what benefit can Concerta be giving him?
Mary

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Olanys at aol.com
Sent: 24 February 2007 10:33
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: Re: [senco-forum] ADD

Hi Mary,

If the child is even suspected of ADD it may be that it was APD all along,
symptoms can be very similar to those not aware of APD and it may be they
manifest more at home when the child is exhausted at the end of the day and
coping strategies fail, especially of this child is, as hinted, a bright
dyslexic.

 "Would it make any difference to your advice if the child's standard
scores in word recognition, spelling and comprehension had not improved
after  a year on the drug?"

Concerta would not make a jot of difference to this child's ability to
overcome these things if they APD and I would suspect APD even more
strongly with this scenario of diifficulties.

The side effects of the Concerta may well be contributing to the nightamare
and appetite issues with, as you say, no apparent benefit to the child.

I would tactfully suggest APD testing to the parents...and let the  powers
that be suggest that Concerta may not be a good idea as if anything, it  may
even be interfering with processing or the child/'s natural coping
strategies  - which could well be why no improvement has been  seen in
anything...  

Best wishes,
Aly

Chair Auditory Processing Disorder in  the UK/APDUK
www.lacewingmultimedia.com/APD.htm
www.apduk.org