Auditory Processing Disorder or Receptive language skills

[QDad]

My childs(5 yr old) school reckons my child is not able to listen in a group environment and sometimes even in a 1 to 1 situation.
They have asked us to consider speech and language therapist to help the situation. Thinking about going to a GP for some assessments or guidance.
Meanwhile, after having researched on the web, just thought it will be easier to check here if anyone is aware of such situations and could comment on this.
Also, not sure if this is related to auditory processing disorder or a receptive language problem.

The GP won't be much use if it is a language problem. A referral to a speech and language therapist would be best for this. Could you ask the school to do this? Alternatively, the GP or HV can arrange the referral but they won't be able to tell you very much about your dc's situation because they don't do the assessments and aren't the experts.

Perhaps you could get his hearing checked whilst at the GPs. You could also ask the school if your dc's listening is affected around any particular subject because perhaps your dc is struggling with it so switiching off.

Getting referred to a speech and language therapist can take a while. I'd ask the school if they have a support for learning assistance at the school who could help in the meantime. After all they can't do nothing after telling you this. An experienced SLA should be able to pick up some of the traits if your dc has got a language disorder.

I would trust your instincts though. I do think parents have a gut feeling about things like this so don't devalue your opinion when talking about your dc. I hope things workout for you and your dc.

I'd phone the speech and language dept up in your local area because I think you can refer yourself (for your dc) Worth a call to see what they say any way.

Definitely book a hearing test and an eye test while you're at it...the GP can book you in with a speech therapist...but as someone said it can take a while.

In the meantime, look at the book "It takes two to talk" on Amazon.

If your child can follow instructions, including multi-step instructions, and understands what you are telling them, then it doesn't sound like receptive language skills.

APD is pretty rare and so it is unlikely that is the issue either, so I wouldn't worry unless you think your child is displaying other typical behaviours.

First thing I would suggest is having her hearing tested, particularly if she is prone to ear infections as glue ear can cause fluctuating hearing loss. Also think what her concentration is like at home; she may simply have a somewhat immature concentration span at the moment.