Is it ADHD or Auditory Processing? Spot the Signs.

You ask your child to put on their shoes and grab their coat. Five minutes later, they are still playing with a toy, shoeless and coatless. Is this defiance? Is it a lack of focus? Or did they simply not process what you said?

For many parents and adults we support, this is a daily reality. When someone struggles to follow instructions, maintain focus in noisy environments, or keep up with conversations, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often the first explanation considered. However, we frequently see another underlying cause that mimics these symptoms almost perfectly: auditory processing difficulties.

Understanding the distinction between the two—or recognising when they coexist—is the first step toward finding the right support.

Why They Look So Similar

It is easy to see why confusion arises. ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) share a significant number of symptoms. If you or your child struggles with one, you likely face challenges with the other.

Both conditions often present as:

Difficulty following multi-step instructions.
Trouble focusing in classrooms or open-plan offices.
Easily becoming distracted by background noise.
A tendency to "zone out" during conversations.
Poor working memory.

We know that the core cognitive skills required for reading proficiency—memory, attention, processing, and sequencing—are the exact same capacities that learners struggle with in cases of specific learning difficulties and ADHD. Because the outward behaviours overlap, getting to the root cause requires looking closer at how information is being received.

The Key Differences

While ADHD is primarily a disorder of executive function and self-regulation, APD is strictly about how the brain interprets sound.

Someone with ADHD might hear the instruction perfectly well but lose focus before completing the task due to a distraction or an impulse. In contrast, someone with processing issues may physically hear the sound, but their brain scrambles the signal. It might sound like the teacher or colleague is speaking underwater, or the background noise might be just as loud as the speaker's voice, making it impossible to separate the two.

If you notice that focus improves significantly when instructions are visual rather than verbal, or if reading comprehension is much higher than listening comprehension, auditory processing issues may be the primary factor.

We Change Brains to Change Lives

At Smart Processing, we believe in the science of neuroplasticity. This is the understanding that brains can change and develop throughout our lives, regardless of age. Whether we are working with a six-year-old child or an adult aged 60+, the brain has an incredible ability to reorganise itself when given the right stimulus.

We use evidence-based interventions like Fast ForWord® to target the foundational skills that support both attention and processing. This programme does not just teach a student to read; it intensively targets the underlying cognitive skills that struggling learners need to catch up.

Fast ForWord addresses:

Phonological processing: How we differentiate sounds.

Working memory: Holding information long enough to use it.

Sustained attention: The ability to focus on a task over time.

Sequencing: Placing information in the correct order.

Because these exercises are adaptive, they meet the learner exactly where they are. We have seen Fast ForWord deliver 1–2 years of learning gain in just 40–60 hours of use. For many of our students with ADHD or processing challenges, this progress is enough to help them move off the special educational needs register entirely.

Supporting the Sensory System

Sometimes, the difficulty lies in how the sensory system handles stress and input. In these cases, we often recommend The Listening Program® (TLP). This is a music-based auditory therapy designed to balance the auditory system.

TLP reduces the stress that comes with sensory overload. If you or your child finds noisy environments physically exhausting or overwhelming, this structured listening therapy can help integration. It enhances the brain's ability to filter sound, which supports better balance, coordination, and emotional regulation.

Our founder, Mary, began this work in 2008 after witnessing the profound impact these therapies had on her own son and daughter. We know that these challenges are not just academic; they affect confidence, social interaction, and daily happiness. That is why our approach is always encouraging and optimistic. We provide professional support every step of the way because we know that with the right tools, potential is limitless.

Let’s Find the Right Path Forward

Determining whether you are dealing with ADHD, auditory processing issues, or a combination of both can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Since our programmes are online and home-based, we can support families and individuals across the UK and Europe effectively and conveniently.

If you want to understand more about how cognitive therapies can improve attention and processing, or if you are ready to explore a programme that fits your specific needs, visit us at Smart Processing. We can discuss your situation and help you build a stronger foundation for learning and life.