Auditory Processing difficulties - which are commonly diagnosed as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) - can have a profound impact on an individual’s listening, comprehension and communication skills.
This can look different for every individual who experiences it. For some, remembering details from a conversation may feel near impossible, for others, it may appear in the form of mishearing similar words (such as hear and fear), while other individuals may struggle with comprehending and processing what they hear.
No matter how Auditory Processing looks for each individual, it leads to an inability to process the world around us in real-time. This is overwhelming and isolating, leading to individuals struggling with everyday tasks.
While - like all learning disabilities - it’s traditionally believed that Auditory Processing difficulties are lifelong, here at Arrowsmith we understand that it can be overcome. By harnessing the power of neuroplasticity through specifically targeted cognitive exercises, we can strengthen an individual’s brain and help them overcome learning disabilities such as Auditory Processing difficulties.
In this case study, we look at Carlie’s story and how she overcame Auditory Processing difficulties through The Arrowsmith Program.
Age: 16, High School Sophomore
Learning Difficulty: Auditory Processing
Program Type: Symbol Relations Independent Check-In
Time in Program: 1 Year
Location: USA
Carlie, a 16-year-old high school sophomore, struggled with Auditory Processing difficulties that left her feeling unable to keep up in class. Discussions, debates, and even conversations were overwhelming for her. She often sat quietly, internally trying to figure out what was going on around her, but feeling unable to participate effectively or fire back points to her peers.
Carlie’s challenges extended to math, where she was often confused by multi-step problems, unable to see how all the steps fit together to reach an answer. Algebra, in particular, was a significant struggle, and she could only focus on one aspect of a problem at a time.
These difficulties impacted Carlie's ability to deliver presentations. Her weak working memory and slow processing speed made it challenging for her to speak in front of others. She felt as if there was a fog over her brain, preventing her from realizing her true potential.
Despite her high intelligence and determination, Carlie was frustrated by her inability to perform at the level she knew she was capable of, and she felt that others often underestimated her abilities. After trying numerous interventions without success, Carlie and her family sought a solution that could truly address the root of her challenges.
Carlie’s primary struggles included:
To address her Auditory Processing difficulties, Carlie enrolled in Arrowsmith’s Symbol Relations Cognitive Enhancement program, which she completed online over the course of a year.
Arrowsmith harnesses the power of neuroplasticity - the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, which you can learn more about in our Ultimate Guide to Neuroplasticity - to strengthen an individual’s brain and help them overcome their learning disability.
By strengthening the brain, Arrowsmith - which all stemmed from Arrowsmith’s Founder, Barbara Arrowsmith-Young’s own struggles with Auditory Processing which she describes in her book The Woman Who Changed Her Brain - helps individuals improve their academic and professional performance, enhance their cognitive capabilities, and improve their overall well-being.
Through targeted cognitive exercises, Carlie worked to strengthen the areas of her brain responsible for processing auditory information and integrating complex concepts.
The exercises were demanding and required consistent effort, and Carlie was determined to see them through. The program’s focus on neuroplasticity allowed her brain to develop new pathways, improving her processing speed and working memory. The impact of these specific and targeted activities became evident as Carlie progressed through the program.
Three months into the program, Carlie began to notice significant changes in her abilities. Her teachers and family also observed the transformation. Schoolwork became easier, and Carlie found that she could complete homework more quickly and retain information more effectively.
Her grades improved, and the frustration that had plagued her for so long began to diminish. The fog that had obscured her thinking lifted, revealing the full extent of her cognitive abilities.
Carlie’s newfound clarity and confidence had a profound impact on her daily life. She was able to participate in class discussions, contribute during debates, and solve math problems at the blackboard with ease. The improvements in her auditory processing allowed her to argue logical points in debate and deliver presentations with confidence, something she had struggled with before.
By the end of the year, Carlie had achieved a level of academic success she had previously thought impossible. The transformation was so profound that Carlie felt her entire life had changed, and she was eager to share her experience with others who might benefit from the Arrowsmith program.
Carlie said: “Before doing this program, I felt like I had exhausted all options and would just have to live with the brain I was born with. I know that there are so many people out there who feel like they have exhausted all of their options. It took me years to find this needle in the haystack, and I don’t want others to spend years of frustration trying to do the same thing.”
Carlie’s journey is a testament to the power of neuroplasticity and the potential for meaningful cognitive change. Through her hard work and the support of The Arrowsmith Program, she was able to overcome the challenges of auditory processing difficulties and unlock her true potential. Carlie’s story offers hope to anyone who feels limited by their brain’s current capabilities, showing that with the right approach, it is possible to achieve lasting change.
Since enrolling in The Arrowsmith Program, Carlie has:
