Question
A fair amount of research has been published on CAPD in children. Where can I find more information about CAPD in adults, specifically on CAPD phonologic dyslexia?
Answer
Yes, there is much less information published about adults with CAPD. For one thing, the problems that children face are generally more severe than those of adults. Children have to go to school to learn new information presented in the style and manner that the teacher chooses to teach. Children also have to learn to speak and develop language, which can be extremely difficult when carrying a major CAP burden. On the other hand, as we get older those with CAPD learn to take advantage of contextual cues and the linguistic redundancy that comes with practice using spoken language. Although the processing abilities of adults with CAPD may never reach the level of those who do not have the problem, those individuals can further help themselves by choosing the type of work they will do and the communicative environments that minimize their difficulties and maximize their strengths. This is not to say that they completely overcome the problems-- surely not. But the linguistic demand is generally lessened with increased language use and well thought-out career choices.
Having said that, I am not clear if you are looking for diagnostic or rehabilitative information. ''Phonological Dyslexia'' (if I understand your term correctly) is made up of 2 aspects. This is the same for a child or an adult. I hope that the following terms are ones with which you are sufficiently familiar. On the SSW test there is 1) a Phonemic Decoding (DEC) category of CAPD that has to do with quickly and accurately processing speech at the phonemic (speech sound) level. 2) There is also an Integration (INT) Category that is often associated with Dyslexia. This has to do with sharing information between the right and left sides of the brain. If the person has both of these problems (called INT-1) we usually provide remediation for both Phonemic difficulties and for Integration, whether it is a child or adult. We feel auditory-visual integration materials are especially important. Quite often those with these 2 problems have other auditory difficulties (e.g., INT-3) which also should be addressed. If published materials are designed to aid children, they can generally be adapted for adult use.
A book called the 'Brain Gym' (www.braingym.com) may be an excellent source for addressing the Integration problems. In addition, there are many books and computer programs that address phonemic DEC. The Masters et al. book, 'Central Auditory Processing Disorders: Mostly Management' (Allyn & Bacon) has several chapters that will be of interest to you. See chapters 4 through 9, and in particular Jane Baran's chapter, which is specifically on management of CAPD in Adolescents and Adults.
BIO: Jack Katz, Ph. D., has been involved with Central Auditory Processing for over 40 years. He has worked extensively with both children and adults in both diagnosis and therapy. His tests, therapy materials and publications dealing with CAPD are widely used. Dr. Katz is a widely sought-after lecturer due to both his breadth of knowledge and engaging style. He is the Editor of the Handbook of Clinical Audiology, now in its Fifth Edition (Williams and Wilkens, 2001).
