To improve listening skills or help a child with APD, we like to do a couple of things before we start each session. We start by doing crossover exercises. These exercises are as simple as slapping a knee with the opposite hand and going back and forth between left and right in a rhythmic manner. You can also have them lift their foot up and tap it with the opposite hand or bend down and touch the opposite toe. The point is to have parts of their body cross their midline to the opposite side of the body. We do about 20 of these before we start. Crossover Exercises help connect your left and right hemisphere of the brain which is important for good Auditory Function. It also improves cognitive skills and memory.

We like to put some background music or noise clips on to help with their Figure-Ground Discrimination. You can use music they love or background noise sound clips. Our favorite place to find them is on YouTube. Search for classroom sounds, city sounds, or rain forest sounds. Some great clips will come up that you can play on your iPhone while they do their Auditory Activities. If the child is really struggling with APD, then wait until you have done the activities for a while before adding background sounds.

Below is a pdf of fun Auditory and Listening Activities that you can do at home and in the car.

Download our free PDF of Auditory Processing Activities.