What quickly became apparent to me when researching this subject was that if you're an adult, there's significantly little information of any reassuring nature available. When I was actually informed of this condition in diagnosis, the basic rudiments of the nature of APD were explained to me. In so far as, "The processing centre in the brain performs differently and this means that you're unable to filter out additional 'background' sound."
That's all that the Audiologist told me.
Reading through the small amount of information online, I was concerned when reading how clinicians are associating the condition with various other disabilities: Autism Spectrum, ADHD, etc.
The apduk.org site added to the increasing sense of alarm by informing readers that, in addition to a range of difficulties, there were factors that the individual with APD might not themselves be aware of. I have tried to access this particular page in order to quote, but been unable to do so today.
Wikipedia's initial descriptive definition however states:
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), also known as (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder ((C)APD) is an umbrella term for a variety of disorders[citation needed] that affect the way the brain processes auditory information. It is not a sensory (inner ear) hearing impairment; individuals with APD usually have normal peripheral hearing ability. However, they cannot process the information they hear in the same way as others do, which leads to difficulties in recognizing and interpreting sounds, especially the sounds composing speech.APD can affect both children and adults. Approximately 2-3% of children and 17-20% of adults have this disorder. Males are two times more likely to be affected by the disorder than females.
Now, as an adult With the condition, and relatively recently diagnosed, I found this suggestion alarming.
My first thoughts were that, I had some additional issues that I'd somehow managed to hide from the world (and myself) and perhaps it was time I found out what these were.
With no disrespect to anyone with Autism, ADHD etc - as a matter of preference, I'd rather Not have the disadvantageous associations with these myself. However, I set about finding out what exactly I might have.
A reliable clinical psychological assessment seemed the obvious first choice. Despite obstacles, I managed to arrange this.
The assessor knew nothing about APD, so was willing to arrange the assessment on the basis that it provided them with, I suppose, some kind of benchmark and personal experience of understanding the condition.
They were further motivated too by the Government Dept that were paying for this at the time.
I met with the psychologist 3 times in all, over a period of 4-5 months. During which, we discussed my concerns, a psychological test was completed, and the assessment report results were given to me - verbally (which, given the nature of APD seemed rather defeatist to me, but I'm not a clinical psychologist).
Fortunately, the conclusion was that (although I'd not completed the whole assessment - after being informed I could skip some parts and had) whatever effects APD had, they were more than compensated for.
In comparison with expected 'normal' results, I'd scored very highly. The psychologist added that, had I completed the whole assessment, my overall score would have been (considerably/probably) higher - even if I'd got most of it wrong.
Her conclusion was that, APD had no significant effect on me in my day to day life and certainly wouldn't be obvious.
Which seemed pretty good, but I still wanted to test this further.
I applied for disability allowance, exaggerating every aspect (as most who apply for this allowance feel they need generally do). I figured, as everyone in (clinical terms) concerned with APD explained the condition in such negative terms, perhaps I needed to.
The government dept's response was that they felt this condition didn't meet their understanding of disability in so far as, they could not provide the allowance within the criteria for disability as laid down by their dept.
Not 'officially' disabled then.
This of course didn't mean I'm not disabled... so I arranged an appointment at my GPs.
Having moved from South Wales to Stafford, England, my new surgery had no previous knowledge of me so I checked that they had all my health records before arranging the appointment.
When I attended the appointment, I dressed smartly - I wanted to be taken seriously.
The doctor I saw was newly appointed and whilst sympathetic, didn't know anything about APD. I asked if the surgery had received my health records, he searched the surgery's database. I suggested that my appointment was financially orientated, prompted by government related procedures. I explained how I felt that the 'condition' was affecting my immediate prospects.
As I'm unable to be dishonest, I was having problems with job applications. Whilst there are a number of disability discrimination laws in the UK, (unless you select a specific area on a form - thus ensuring an obligatory interview) if you provide any suggestion of a medical condition without so doing, apparently no one wanted to interview.
Immediately prior to including this small reference to APD, I'd had a great number of interviews for a range of jobs. Removing the APD comment had significant results. Clearly there was a problem, but not one I could actually address legally.
Consequently, I explained, I needed the medical support in relation to the effects of APD to access the additional provisions available.
The newly appointed GP felt he lacked the background knowledge and experience to assist me and arranged a further appointment with one of the surgeries leading partners.
A couple of weeks later I attended this appointment.
After a short conversation, the Partner read through the notes in my health records (confirming the diagnosis in relation to APD). Then told me that she felt I was highly employable, clearly intelligently articulate and shouldn't have any problems etc etc. Though she did agree to provide a small note, which - in relation to APD - stated that I was probably best employed in an area of work that didn't involve phones.
So, to summarise....
Everyone concerned in a clinical assessment essentially concluded that not only was I highly intelligent, but that I had no obvious disadvantage due to disability or associated behavioural issues.
I couldn't PROVOKE a negative diagnosis.
Yet, it still remained a problem according to the reports, comments, descriptive terms, and definitions available for research online. Anyone who might employ me and wanted additional information would get this negative impression from clinicians.
Catch 22?
I couldn't announce it without being subjected to misinformation, misrepresentation and miss association.
What does DISCRIMINATION mean in practice?
Let's consider basic descriptions:
Definitions
Within sociology, 'discrimination' is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. Discrimination is the actual behavior towards members of another group. It involves excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to other groups.[2] Moral philosophers have defined it as disadvantageous treatment or consideration. This is a comparative definition. An individual need not be actually harmed in order to be discriminated against. He or she just needs to be treated worse than others for some arbitrary reason. If someone decides to donate to help orphan children, but decides to donate less, say, to black children out of a racist attitude, he or she will be acting in a discriminatory way even if he or she actually benefits the people he discriminates against by donating some money to them.[3]The United Nations stance on discrimination includes a statement that: "Discriminatory behaviors take many forms, but they all involve some form of exclusion or rejection."[4
Employment discrimination
Main article: Employment discriminationEmployment discrimination refers to disabling certain people to apply and receive jobs based on their race, age, gender, religion, height, weight, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Disability discrimination
Main article: Disability discriminationDiscrimination against people with disabilities in favor of people who are not is called ableism or disablism. Disability discrimination, which treats non-disabled individuals as the standard of ‘normal living’, results in public and private places and services, education, and social work that are built to serve 'standard' people, thereby excluding those with various disabilities.
Social theories such as Egalitarianism claim that social equality should prevail. In some societies, including most developed countries, each individual's civil rights include the right to be free from government sponsored social discrimination.[42
Religious discriminationMain article: Religious discrimination
Religious discrimination is valuing or treating a person or group differently because of what they do or do not believe.
Freedom of religion Religion Portal
Labeling theoryDiscrimination, in labeling theory, takes form as mental categorisation of minorities and the use of stereotype. This theory describes difference as deviance from the norm, which results in internal devaluation and social stigma[45] that may be seen as discrimination. It is started by describing a 'natural' social order.
There is another aspect that the medical profession seem to be (largely) completely overlooking....
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