APD vs. ADHD
Children with learning differences often appear to have difficulty paying attention. An attention problem can be symptomatic of a number of etiologies, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and auditory processing disorders (APD). These two conditions often share similar characteristics and behaviors, such as inattention and distractibility. They are, however, seen as two distinct medical conditions that have different origins and forms of treatment. APD is diagnosed by an Audiologist. Treatment recommendations include auditory training remediation therapies and modifications to the environment and teaching strategies to help the individual process challenging auditory information better. ADHD is often diagnosed by Physicians or Psychologists through the use of behavioral rating scales and observations made by parents and teachers. Treatment is usually in the form of pharmaceutical intervention. As one can see, the treatment recommendations for each disorder are different. That is why it is critical that a correct diagnosis be made so that appropriate intervention can be obtained.
Throughout her years in practice, Dr. Larkin has seen many children who have been misdiagnosed with ADHD when in actuality they have APD. She has also seen numerous children that have both APD and ADHD conditions. Dr. Larkin often utilizes the Auditory Performance Continuous Test (ACPT) in her comprehensive test battery to identify children who may have auditory attention disorders. The ACPT is an auditory vigilance task that provides information in determining if an attention problem is one of the underlying factors contributing to a child’s auditory weaknesses.
