CAPD...an issue?

[zable]

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Hello everyone!

I am an 18 yr old undergrad in Speech and Hearing and want to eventually become an audiologist. My question is this: I have moderate-severe Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). I was diagnosed with it in sixth grade and in eleventh grade, had my public school lend me an FM system. I can understand people okay when they face me (I basically speech read) but when they cover their mouths or turn their back, I get a little lost. I actually just got retested in the Fall and I am in the second percentile in some areas!!! I've really defied the odds, however, and got into a great private school (nothing wrong with public schools!!!) with a hefty academic scholarship.

Now I am in college and I use an FM system and have a notetaker (a fellow student that takes notes for me and I compare them to my notes to see what I missed).

It just dawned on me this morning...do you think I'll be able to get into grad school? Let's say that the only variable is my CAPD and I have a great gpa, etc. Can you be denied because of a learning disability? Or does the grad school have the CHOICE not to give me the FM? (I am 90% sure I am covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act).

My issue is that I am nervous that in the interview the school I would apply to will deny me. Perhaps I am simply being paranoid.

I am a good student and am motivated. I think I should talk to my advisor as well (he knows my situation and he is also an AuD) about it too.
I think it's okay that I am thinking about grad school now but I dont want to obsess over it.

Thank you for your time, everyone!
Zable

PS: I am brand new to this site but glad I found it! I've surfed through the forums and am now making my first post. I'm new to the whole forum thing so if I'm breaking basic rules, please be constructive.

 

[eardocsavvy]

Hello everyone!

I am an 18 yr old undergrad in Speech and Hearing and want to eventually become an audiologist. My question is this: I have moderate-severe Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). I was diagnosed with it in sixth grade and in eleventh grade, had my public school lend me an FM system. I can understand people okay when they face me (I basically speech read) but when they cover their mouths or turn their back, I get a little lost. I actually just got retested in the Fall and I am in the second percentile in some areas!!! I've really defied the odds, however, and got into a great private school (nothing wrong with public schools!!!) with a hefty academic scholarship.

Now I am in college and I use an FM system and have a notetaker (a fellow student that takes notes for me and I compare them to my notes to see what I missed).

It just dawned on me this morning...do you think I'll be able to get into grad school? Let's say that the only variable is my CAPD and I have a great gpa, etc. Can you be denied because of a learning disability? Or does the grad school have the CHOICE not to give me the FM? (I am 90% sure I am covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act).

My issue is that I am nervous that in the interview the school I would apply to will deny me. Perhaps I am simply being paranoid.

I am a good student and am motivated. I think I should talk to my advisor as well (he knows my situation and he is also an AuD) about it too.
I think it's okay that I am thinking about grad school now but I dont want to obsess over it.

Thank you for your time, everyone!
Zable

PS: I am brand new to this site but glad I found it! I've surfed through the forums and am now making my first post. I'm new to the whole forum thing so if I'm breaking basic rules, please be constructive.

Hello,
First of all you dont have to discolse anything but if that is why you are going into audiology that will certainly be disclosed in your "personal statement" when applying to schools. Just like employers, Universities cannot discriminate on color, race, sex, origin, or disabilities. I would not worry, if anything that makes you ahead in your understanding of the situation. I think you will do just fine!!

-hope this helps

 

[rEliseMe]

First of all, welcome! We're glad to have you here. 🙂

To address your question: I highly doubt that an FM system will be denied by any grad school.

I don't have CAPD but I do have mild hearing loss in the high frequencies, so I lose a lot of consonants. I can't identify completely, but I do understand a little. I was given an FM system and I don't go without it!

Graduate programs are (or should be) held to the same or stricter standards as/than undergraduate programs. I don't forsee any problems if that's your only issue. I think your interviewers will more likely be impressed by your motivation to pursue a graduate level education given your difficulty.

Definitely apply to more than one school. Everyone should be or is doing that. Audiology programs are competitive. So, if you do get denied, don't assume it's for that specific reason. It could be because of anything.

Also, your letters of recommendation should help you out a lot. If you're that worried, you might ask that your writers include a blurb about your disorder and how committed you are to school regardless.

Anything covered by the ADA shouldn't play a part in whether or not you're accepted to a program or not. That's kind of the point of the ADA! 🙂 Good luck!

 

[SoCalAud]

Welcome, Zable! 🙂 I'm glad you found this place!

First, I would highly recommend that you contact the disability services at whatever grad school you're interested in and tell them your situation (FM system). This will definitely be helpful when narrowing down AuD programs. By the way, I doubt they will deny the FM systems, if some do, please tell us here and we'll make a move about it, k?

We all strongly suggest that people should apply to several programs if they're willing to relocate.

Does your campus have a NSSLHA chapter? It's called National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. If there is one, become a student member and national member. It's such a great investment! Plenty of resources there. nsslha.org

I definitely think you'll do great in grad school. You'll get in! Be optimistic! 🙂 There's a lot of services for those with CAPD to help you get through school. I have a hearing loss myself and have found a lot of resources to help me through school such as FM systems, note taking, but also captioning. This is done by captioners typing words onto their laptop. It helps students like me know what is being said. I had to use this type of services when I suddenly lost my hearing two years ago. (by the way, my hearing back to its normal range). Does your college offer that? I'm sure you won't need captioners since the FM system is much more useful. Just thought I share that info with you in case you might want to learn more about it.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

-Steph

 

[cidanu]

We have a lot of deaf/hard of hearing students in the AuD program at Gallaudet. They are really encouraged to apply. The students in my cohort have a lot of valuable input to share and they enrich everyone's experience, I think.

I'm not aware of anyone with CAPD in the program, and while it's a different boat than a hearing loss, I'm sure you would also have a lot of valuable information to share with your fellow classmates and teachers.

All our classrooms are looped for use with T-Coil and I know we have FM systems as well. For a couple weeks we were using the FM systems in class just to see what it was like, and some people found that they really benefited from them despite having "normal" hearing!

If anyone in the classroom uses ASL as their preferred mode of communication then our classes will also be taught with Sim-Com or bilingually with interpreters.

In sum, I definitely wouldn't regard your CAPD as a hindrance to getting into grad school. You will bring a unique insight your experience as a grad student!

 

[zable]

I want to say thanks to everyone with their positive insight.

It really helps. I never really thought of the CAPD as an asset.

Thanks again,
Zable 👍

PS: I don't have any more questions at this time but if I have more in the future, I'll ask!