ERIC Number: EJ936422
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jul
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0161-1461
EISSN: N/A
What Speech-Language Pathologists Need to Know about Auditory Processing Disorder
Kamhi, Alan G.
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, v42 n3 p265-272 Jul 2011
Purpose: 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. Method: 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). Conclusion: 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.
Descriptors: Speech Language Pathology, Auditory Perception, Perceptual Impairments, Developmental Disabilities, Evidence, Intervention, Children
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. Tel: 800-638-8255; Fax: 301-571-0457; e-mail: subscribe@asha.org; Web site: http://lshss.asha.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A