An Evidence-Based Perspective on “Misconceptions” Regarding Pediatric Auditory Processing Disorder

Clinical Expertise Is Core to an Evidence-Based Approach to Auditory Processing Disorder: A Reply to Neijenhuis et al. 2019

“…European guidelines (5) refer to many countries' guidelines (within and beyond Europe) and these provide analogous and consistent approaches to the diagnosis of APD. This approach is not analogous to the approaches taken in the papers cited as systematic APD reviews by Neijenhuis et al (1). In fact, they cite a review of clinical practice guidelines (6), in which the authors employed an appraisal method for guidelines using the Agree II tool to rate each guideline's scientific approach.…”

“…In their opinion paper, Neijenhuis et al (1) assert that the three “systematic reviews” they cite undermine the evidence-base for APD. In fact, none of these papers is actually a systematic review of primary, peer-reviewed research conducted with participants diagnosed with APD.…”

“…The European Consensus APD Clinical Practice Guidelines (5) are predicated on research similar to that underlying the ASHA and AAA Guidelines (14, 15). Neijenhuis et al (1) attempt to undermine confidence in current guidelines without presenting any alternative, evidence-based approach for the diagnosis of APD. Moreover, they incorrectly assert that APD may be better explained by other developmental disorders, including attention or language-listening deficits.…”

“…The authors focus on the amorphous non-diagnostic entity “listening difficulties” not auditory processing disorder (APD) and create confusion that could jeopardize clinical services to individuals with APD. In our perspective article, we rebut Neijenhuis et al (1), and more importantly, we present a rationale for evidence-based practice founded on the premise that research on APD is only clinically applicable when conducted on clinical populations diagnosed with APD.…”

“…The opinion article “An Evidence-based Perspective on Misconceptions Regarding Pediatric Auditory Processing Disorder” by Neijenhuis et al (1) presents a distorted view of the evidence-based approach used in medicine. The authors focus on the amorphous non-diagnostic entity “listening difficulties” not auditory processing disorder (APD) and create confusion that could jeopardize clinical services to individuals with APD.…”