Treating Central Auditory Processing For This Wee

For this week’s Discussion you can choose between Discussion 1 and Discussion 2. You do not need to complete both. Choose one scenario below to respond to the discussion.

Discussion Topic 1: Myesha

Myesha is a four-year-old female growing up in a two-parent family and has one older sister (age 7). She lives in a middle class neighborhood where there are many young children and a neighborhood park. She likes to go to the park and play with other children. Her parents have become very concerned that while she can talk, her words do not sound like those of other children. She often seems to misunderstand what others say, though her parents know that she understands the words. They are frustrated because it seems that she can understand what she hears occasionally, but not always. They know that she will struggle in kindergarten next year if this does not change. They had her hearing tested. It is normal.

Their daughter’s teacher suggested that they have Myesha tested for a Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) which can be a reason for her slight speech delay and hearing problems.

Explain how speech is understood in the brain using one of the word recognition models from your reading. Describe how word recognition is important to treating Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPDs). What treatments might be used to help Myesha recognize words better?

Discussion Topic 2: Cameron

Cameron is a seventeen-year-old male who plays high school football. He is a gifted linebacker who has taken many hits during games. In his last game, he had a concussion that sent him off the field. He had a headache and blurry vision, but said that he felt fine. He was not allowed back to play in that game as a precaution. Later that week, he noticed that he was still getting headaches and had problems sleeping. He also reported that he was struggling to concentrate in his classes. His friends noticed that he seemed irritable, which is uncharacteristic for him. The team doctors referred Cameron to a neurologist for tests that showed that he had suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (MBTI).

Explain how a brain injury can cause physical and cognitive problems. What parts of the brain are most affected by concussions (e.g. children or adults)? Which treatments might be used to help Cameron to recover from his MBTI?