It is often times difficult to distinguish between attention deficit disorder (ADD) and auditory processing disorder (APD). Sometimes diagnosis depends on which professional assesses the child first. If a physician or psychologist is the first health professional to evaluate a child, the diagnosis might be ADD. If an audiologist is the first professional, APD might be the diagnosis.

Questions to consider

Are ADD and APD independent entities or the same disorder?

Who is the first professional to evaluate the child: Psychologist vs. Audiologist

Auditory perceptual difficulties and/or inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, etc.

APD as primary or secondary diagnosis

Following are some behaviors that might help distinguish between the two

	APD	ADD	LD	DYSLEXIA
Hyperactivity
Language deficits
Motor deficits
Concept development deficit
Impulsivity
Memory deficit
Spatial relationships deficits
Temporal relationship deficits
Reading deficits
Writing deficits
Math deficits
Articulation/phonology deficits
Pragmatic deficits
Low frustration tolerance
Low self-esteem
Disorganization
Related family history
Poor social relationships
Difficulty with logic

From CAPD Strategies To Use With Children And Adolescents, Dorothy A. Kelly, D.A., CCC-SLP

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