Assessing Autism in Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Youths: Interdisciplinary Teams, COVID Considerations, and Future Directions

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders are more prevalent in children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH) than in the general population. This potential for diagnostic overlap underscores the importance of understanding the best approaches for assessing autism spectrum disorder in D/HH youths. Despite the recognition of clinical significance, youths who are D/HH are often identified as autistic later than individuals with normal hearing, which results in delayed access to appropriate early intervention services. Three primary barriers to early identification include behavioral phenotypic overlap, a lack of “gold-standard” screening and diagnostic tools for this population, and limited access to qualified clinicians. In the current article, we seek to address these barriers to prompt an appropriate identification of autism by providing recommendations for autism assessment in children who are D/HH from an interdisciplinary hearing and development clinic, including virtual service delivery during COVID-19. Strengths, gaps, and future directions for implementation are addressed.