Auditory Processing Disorders (APD): a distinct clinical disorder or not? this systematic review, six electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies using the key words auditory processing, auditory diseases, central [Mesh], and auditory perceptual. Two reviewers independently assessed relevant studies by inclusion criteria and reviewed methodological quality of the included studies by using ASHA’s levels-of-evidence scheme. Conclusions: There is no evidence to conclude that APD can be considered as a unique and identifiable clinical disorder. The characteristics of children with (suspected) APD are not specific to the auditory modality. The listening difficulties may be a consequence of cognitive, language, and attention issues rather than bottom-up auditory problems.