Portrait Health Centers Announce New Non-Invasive Tool To Help Diagnose Auditory Processing Disorder

Feb. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- The Portrait Health Centers for the Healing Arts in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, a multi-specialty evaluation center specializing in ADHD and learning disabilities announced today the availability of a new auditory diagnostic and assessment tool.  With this new resource, Portrait Health Centers can aid physicians and parents in determining if the auditory system is impaired and contributing to inattentiveness and subsequent learning difficulties.

Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) is a complex problem affecting about 5% of all school aged children.  Children with auditory processing difficulties cannot process the information they hear in the same way as others due to the fact that their ears and brain have difficulties fully coordinating information.  Auditory processing disorders adversely affect the way the brain recognizes and interprets the sounds that compose speech.  

Dr. Michelle Mattingly, Chief Audiologist for Portrait Health Centers explains, “Using the APD test battery, Portrait Health Centers can provide scientific data—much like a clinical laboratory—to help physicians make the most accurate diagnosis and therefore recommend the most effective treatment strategies.”  Dr. Mattingly further explains, “Auditory Processing Disorders not only have a high comorbidity with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), but are commonly overlooked as a contributing cause to classroom inattentiveness in children.  These two disorders share several common symptoms including difficulty following directions, easy distractibility, inattentiveness, and difficulty remembering things.  This is why it is often suggested that a child with an attention deficit be referred for an auditory processing evaluation when school performance is poor or when tasks that require listening skills are problematic.”

When symptoms of ADHD or APD are evident, the evaluation for an auditory processing disorder is imperative. The APD test is a noninvasive series of word and auditory tests designed to challenge the auditory pathways. The patient’s individual test results are compared to normative data assessing whether or not an auditory processing disorder exists.  “Knowing a child can hear within normal limits is not enough.  We also need to know how well he or she can understand what is being heard.” says Dr. Jack Maggiore, Chief Healthcare Officer of Portrait Health.  “When the brain fails to interpret the message being communicated, far too often the rush to judgment is to tag the inattentive child with a diagnosis of ADHD without taking the time to rule out highly treatable conditions like hearing impairments or APD, ” explains Maggiore.

About Portrait Health Centers for the Healing Arts
Auditory Processing Disorders are but one of the more than 50 conditions that mimic ADHD or share common symptoms.
Portrait Health Centers for the Healing Arts are multi-specialty evaluation centers where families and adults can come to experience treatment options available for those struggling with ADHD and other behavioral and learning disorders including auditory processing disorders. Portrait Health Center’s initial evaluation and consultation with a Nurse Navigator is free in order to learn about the most cutting-edge and proven assessment protocols and treatment options available.  


Contact Information:   
Dr. Michelle Mattingly, Chief Clinical Audiologist
P: 847.868.3435
F: 847.859.5885
mmattingly@portraithealthcenters.com

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Portrait Health Centers for the Healing Arts is a multi-specialty clinic where families and adults can come to experience the most cutting-edge and proven treatment options available for those struggling with ADHD & other behavioral and learning disorders