This publication documents the research and outcomes of an independent review of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in New Zealand, which was undertaken on behalf of the Ministries of Health and Education by Sapere Research Group.
Purpose
The purpose of the review was to identify best practice and make recommendations for the management of auditory processing disorder in children (age 0 to 15 years) and, in particular, the provision of hearing devices for these children.
Methodology
The research was qualitative and not an academic project nor a clinical audit. It occurred between May and July 2013. The paper was finalised in January 2014 post peer review by Professor Suzanne Purdy of the University of Auckland.
Parent, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and Academic stakeholders were interviewed (total n=46). A select literature summary was undertaken. In the main, internationally respected literature was gathered by Sapere from various stakeholders, who shared most generously. Limited web based searching was also undertaken.
It is important to note that although the Ministries of Health and Education contracted this independent review it is only a division of each of the Ministries that are involved. Namely, it is the Disability Support Services division of the Ministry of Health and the Sector Enablement and Support Section of the Ministry of Education. Therefore most of the content and conclusions in this report are likely to extend beyond the mandate of these two divisions.
Key Results
Overall there is a lack of international and national consensus on aspects of the system relating to APD such as how to diagnose, intervention strategies and how to achieve best outcomes for children with APD. In addition there is a lack of practical understanding of APD in those that work with children in New Zealand schools.
Due to the lack of consensus the area of APD is fraught with issues and the divisions of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education who commissioned this research cannot solve all of these within their own remits. There will need to be further work to establish consensus and a pathway forward in New Zealand. To this end this report recommends a national expert Reference Group be established.