School-Age Children
Approximately 5% of school-age children have some type of auditory processing disorder (APD), and according to the National Institutes of Health, in children with learning difficulties, the prevalence of auditory processing disorder has been found to be 43%.
Coexisting Conditions and Misdiagnosis
APD frequently coexists with other conditions, but it can also be mistaken for other conditions because symptoms are often similar. It is estimated that around 50% of children with ADHD also have auditory processing disorder, and research indicates up to 70% of individuals with dyslexia have coexisting Auditory Processing Disorder. APD can also coexist with speech/language disorders, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, and visual processing disorder. The true prevalence of Auditory Processing Disorder is most likely greater, however, since children with APD often go undiagnosed or may be misdiagnosed with another condition.
It is quite common for children with APD to appear to have and attention deficit and they are at risk of being misdiagnosed as having “ADD” (attention deficit disorder) or “ADHD” (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). APD can also look like a behavior problem and lead to problems with anxiety. When there is a breakdown in the processing of what is heard in the brain it can make it hard to distinguish small sound differences within words. This can affect the child’s ability to learn to read and spell.. However, the treatment for an auditory processing disorder is different that the treatment for dyslexia.
Importance of Correct Intervention
It is essential for a child to have the right type of intervention in order to address the underlying cause of the child’s listening and learning problems. While APD awareness has increased over the last few years, there are still many healthcare providers and educators who have never heard of APD or may not have a clear understanding of what it is. Many people do not realize that just because a child passes a basic hearing test, it does not mean that a listening problem has been ruled out.
When to Consider and Auditory Processing Evaluation
Any child who experiences difficulties attending to speech, understanding speech, remembering what has been heard, and/or tolerating noise may benefit from auditory processing testing.
