What speech-language pathologists need to know about auditory processing disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To consider whether auditory processing disorder (APD) is truly a distinct clinical entity or whether auditory problems are more appropriately viewed as a processing deficit that may occur with various developmental disorders.


METHODS
Theoretical and clinical factors associated with APD are critically evaluated.


RESULTS
There are compelling theoretical and clinical reasons to question whether APD is in fact a distinct clinical entity. Not only is there little evidence that auditory perceptual impairments are a significant risk factor for language and academic performance (e.g., Hazan, Messaoud-Galusi, Rosan, Nouwens, & Shakespeare, 2009; Watson & Kidd, 2009), there is also no evidence that auditory interventions provide any unique benefit to auditory, language, or academic outcomes (Fey et al., 2011).


CONCLUSIONS
Because there is no evidence that auditory interventions provide any unique therapeutic benefit (Fey et al., 2011), clinicians should treat children who have been diagnosed with APD the same way they treat children who have been diagnosed with language and learning disabilities. The theoretical and clinical problems associated with APD should encourage clinicians to consider viewing auditory deficits as a processing deficit that may occur with common developmental language and reading disabilities rather than as a distinct clinical entity.
Kamhi
Alan G
AG
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA. agkamhi@uncg.edu
D000124:Achievement; D001308:Auditory Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D012572:School Health Services; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome