Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Shockingly, APD is an almost ‘unheard’ of condition, however it is very common and often exists with other conditions/disorders. If you are a parent or adult with any concerns about yours or your child’s learning or other difficulties and the causes, this book is well worth reading. – Laura Davis, SEN advocate and parent of a teenager with a diagnosis of APD and multiple other diagnoses.I am one of the few professionals who has specialised in the area of psychosocial outcomes of conductive hearing loss and auditory processing problems, I have long become used to the profound absence of literature to inform families of children with APD. So what a delightful surprise it is to read this book. It is a bright star of information in an otherwise dark sky of ignorance. I believe it will become an essential resource to inform, guide and bolster resilience. Resilience that is, unfortunately, too often needed in the face of poorly informed professionals and community. As Alyson points out APD is more common but less identified than autism. As an unknown condition many ill-founded and damaging judgments are often made that do enormous harm. Children and adults are commonly seen as stupid, unmotivated or oppositional. These kinds of persistent judgements can easily be internalised promoting high anxiety, low self-esteem and self-protective but opportunity limiting avoidance. Identification and understanding is the antidote to these kinds of damaging judgements. This book can help prevent the unintentional harm so often done by such judgements. It is a book that will change many lives for the better. I commend it to you. – Damien Howard PhD, educationalist and psychologist, Darwin, AustraliaAuditory Processing Disorder (APD) contains a wealth of information on auditory processing disorders (APD) and provides a comprehensive overview of what it is like to have APD. The author has combined information from the scientific literature with parental and affected individuals’ accounts and insights. She gives a clear and detailed account of what the patient and their family should expect from the time they are referred for a diagnostic evaluation to what should happen when they are provided with a management plan. The book includes some very useful advice and strategies for affected individuals and their families in order to manage their symptoms, and some information about other disorders that overlap with APD. The book is recommended reading for both those affected by APD and their families, as well as for interested professionals. – Professor Doris-Eva Bamiou MD MSc FRCP PhD, Professor in Neuroaudiology, UCL Ear Institute

Alyson co-founded the first UK organisation supporting people with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). She currently chairs a new organisation, APD Support UK, which campaigns for wider recognition. She also manages a website and several online APD support groups.

Alyson has written a non-fiction book on Auditory Processing Disorder for children, parents, and professionals, titled “Can I Tell You About Auditory Processing Disorder.” Her second book on APD, “Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Identification, Diagnosis and Strategies for Parents and Professionals,” draws on almost 20 years of experience in the field and was available for publication in March 2021.

In 2016, Alyson began writing supernatural fiction for adults. “The Marlin Chronicles” is her ongoing series, with “Mother of Marlin” being the first novel. This series blends supernatural suspense, mystery, horror, crime, romance, historical facts, emotional depth, and a touch of fantasy.