Language Processing Disorder vs Auditory Processing Disorder: The Difference
Amanda Unrau CCC-SLP
02/25/25 | Last modified: 03/04/25
It is important to understand the difference between language processing disorder and auditory processing disorder because knowing the underlying weakness leads to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Children can often be misdiagnosed because the behaviors of language processing vs auditory processing are very similar, such as poor comprehension and memory of incoming verbal information. The terms language processing disorder (LPD) and auditory processing disorder (APD) are often incorrectly used interchangeably, and this article will clear up the confusion.
What Is Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)?
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) impacts the ability to process incoming information, such as speech. Those with APD usually have normal hearing, but there is a breakdown in how their brain interprets sound.
This causes individuals with APD to have difficulty understanding what is said, even though they can hear it. APD is diagnosed by an audiologist, but an entire cross-disciplinary team is typically involved.
Symptoms of APD
- Difficulty following complex directions
- Reduced attention and focus
- Poor memory or recall of auditory information
- Difficulty distinguishing between sounds
- Inability to localize sound
- Difficulty recognizing auditory patterns
- Difficulty understanding rapid speech
- Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments or when multiple people are speaking
- Poor reading comprehension
- Difficulty participating in conversation
- Difficulty interpreting nonliteral language, such as idioms, metaphors, and sarcasm
What Is Language Processing Disorder (LPD)?
Language Processing Disorder (LPD) is a disorder in the ability to attach meaning to incoming auditory information (receptive language) and formulate a response (expressive language). Those with LPD can have difficulty understanding spoken, written, and nonverbal language.
They also struggle to express themselves in verbal and written forms. Multiple areas of language can be affected, including vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and social communication. LPD is diagnosed by a speech language pathologist.
Language processing disorder tends to run in families, suggesting a possible genetic component. Other potential causes of LPD include traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, infections, exposure to toxins, or complications during pregnancy or childbirth. LPD often occurs alongside other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and dyslexia.
Symptoms of LPD
- Difficulty following complex directions
- Needing a long time to respond to a question
- Responding “I don’t know” often
- Naming the category instead of the specific item, such as “clothes” instead of “socks”
- Using nonspecific language, such as “the stuff” instead of a specific item
- Describing something instead of using the target word, such as saying “the thing with wheels that you push with your feet” instead of “bicycle”
- Frequent use of filler words, such as “um,” “uh,” “you know” and repetition of the same phrases
- Difficulty understanding sarcasm, humor, and figurative language such as idioms
- Difficulty following the plot of stories
- Frustration when unable to remember words or communicate thoughts effectively
Key Differences Between APD and LPD
What are the key differences between APD and LPD?
- APD impacts the ability to process and interpret sounds. LPD impacts the ability to process and interpret language.
- APD does not directly affect language skills, but impacts how the brain processes sound.
- LPD impacts all areas of language, including spoken communication, reading, and writing.
- APD is diagnosed by an audiologist. LPD is diagnosed by a speech language pathologist.
- Treatment of an APD involved learning strategies from an audiologist and speech language pathologist to improve the ability to process sound. Treatment of LPD involves working with a speech language pathologist to improve language skills.
Key Differences Between Auditory Processing Disorder vs Language Processing Disorder
| Auditory Processing Disorder | Language Processing Disorder |
| Impacts the ability to process and interpret sounds | Impacts the ability to process and interpret language |
| Does not directly affect language skills, but impacts how the brain processes sound | Impacts all areas of language, including spoken communication, reading, and writing |
| Diagnosed by an audiologist | Diagnosed by a speech language pathologist |
| Treatment involves learning strategies from an audiologist and speech language pathologist to improve the ability to process sound | Treatment involves working with a speech language pathologist to improve language skills |
How to Support Individuals with APD or LPD
Here are some tips for aiding children and adults with APD or LPD and getting them the support they need:
Consult with Professionals
Speech language pathologists and/or audiologists are trained and qualified to assess and treat individuals with language processing disorder and auditory processing disorder. If you suspect either of these disorders, contact these professionals in order to consult with them and receive an evaluation if needed.
If the child or adult is diagnosed with APD or LPD, speech language pathologists can work with those with either disorder, and audiologists can work with those with APD. In regular therapy sessions, individuals with APD or LPD can learn strategies to help them participate fully in their daily lives or improve their skills over time.
Special Education (IEP)
If the child with APD or LPD is in a public school setting, they may qualify for special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Once diagnosed with one of these disorders, the special education team, consisting of the student, parents, teachers, speech language pathologist, and other professionals (e.g., audiologist, occupational therapist, special education teacher), works together to create a support plan that is unique to that student’s needs.
The plan addresses the student’s current strengths and weaknesses, areas of improvement, and outlines the services, goals, and accommodations needed for the child to participate in the academic environment.
For students with a language processing disorder, services and accommodations may include speech therapy, assistive technology, and occupational therapy. Students with an auditory processing disorder may benefit from the same services, with the addition of audiological services. Additional accommodations that may be beneficial include extended time for assignments and tests, checking for understanding, visual schedules, and access to technology such as speech-to-text or text-to-speech technology or note-taking software.
Assistive Technology
Multiple options for assistive technology are available for those with APD or LPD. This type of technology helps individuals manage their symptoms and better interpret what they hear. Assistive technology should not be used as the sole treatment strategy for APD or LPD, but should complement therapy services.
Personal listening devices or hearing aids can help support individuals with auditory processing disorder. Personal listening devices, also called FM systems, help individuals with APD focus on important auditory information through the use of a personal speaker worn by the listener that sends the speaker’s voice through a microphone. Certain hearing aids for those with normal or close to normal hearing can amplify sounds and improve clarity so that speech is heard clearer than background noise.
Text-to-speech (TTS) software can be helpful for both individuals with APD and those with LPD. It is a great option for those who have poor reading skills, since it allows you to hear something read aloud as you see the written text. There is no background noise and only the speaker is heard, which helps the listener to focus solely on what is being said.
Audio recorders can also be beneficial for APD and LPD. Since both disorders can cause individuals to need repetition of information or additional time to process what was said, being able to hear it again is extremely helpful, especially in a school or work setting. Audio recorders allow listeners to record auditory input to listen to later, as many times as needed.
Forbrain is a system consisting of a headset and microphone that utilizes neurofeedback to help strengthen the neural pathways involved in processing auditory information. This immediate feedback helps the brain interpret auditory input so that users can monitor and improve this brain function. When users wear Forbrain, speech is louder and clearer, making it easier for them to focus on the speech and improve auditory discrimination skills.
Visual Aids
Because individuals with APD have difficulty interpreting incoming auditory input, and individuals with LPD have difficulty interpreting incoming language, visual aids are a great support for both disorders. Adding a visual component helps to bypass the areas of difficulty. Visual aids can come in the form of pictures, photographs, symbols, graphs, or charts.
Examples include having a visual schedule with pictures depicting the steps of the morning routine so that the individual can complete what they need to do without asking for multiple repetitions of the instructions. For class work or assignments, visuals that help organize thoughts, such as Venn diagrams or graphic organizers, help students organize and make sense of the information.
Forbrain’s APD Test
Forbrain has a free initial screening tool that makes a great first step in determining if you or someone you know has weak auditory processing skills. This Auditory Processing Disorder Test can identify areas of weakness by evaluating a variety of auditory processing skills. The specific results you receive after the test helps you determine if further evaluation is needed, based on the areas of concern.
Final Words
Although language processing disorder and auditory processing disorder are often confused or viewed as the same, they are separate disorders. The clear distinction between LPD and APD can be summarized in the fact that APD impacts the processing of auditory information, while LPD impacts the processing of language. Some symptoms overlap, but the assessment process and diagnosis of language processing disorder vs auditory processing disorder are unique.
Regardless of which disorder an individual may have, there are intervention options available to help treat and support children and adults with these disorders.
References
Emola-Austin, Jana. (2023, April 5). Differences Between Language Processing Disorder and Auditory Processing Disorder. Allison Audiology and Hearing Aid Center. https://allisonaudiology.com/patient-resources/auditory-processing-disorder/differences-between-language-processing-disorder-and-auditory-processing-disorder/
LD Resources Foundation Action. (Accessed 2025, February 11). What is Language Processing Disorder? The Complete Guide. LDRFA. https://www.ldrfa.org/what-is-language-processing-disorder/
North Shore Pediatric Therapy. (Accessed 2025, February 10). Auditory Processing and Language Processing: What’s the Difference? North Shore Pediatric Therapy. https://www.nspt4kids.com/therapy/auditory-processing-and-language-processing-whats-the-difference
Amanda Unrau
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