Enhancing the development of infants and toddlers with dual diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and deafness.

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often referred for audiological diagnostic evaluation. This article provides some strategies for preparing children for a successful diagnostic evaluation. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing with a dual diagnosis of ASD may have difficulty learning to demonstrate detection or imitation of the Ling 6 sounds. The Ling 6 sounds are used to determine what a child with a dual diagnosis can hear and discriminate with amplification (hearing aids or cochlear implants). Because children with ASD may not look at the conversational partner and may have difficulty with imitation, adaptive strategies may be necessary to teach these children with dual diagnosis their first words. Strategies for teaching children with dual diagnosis through sign language will also be discussed.

The school to home link: summer preschool and parents.

This study investigates the amount of language available to children in the home environment and a summer preschool program. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the study sought to gain information about patterns of language use among families of preschoolers with hearing loss. Additionally, the project was designed to provide an initial investigation into the impact of reduced educational programming over summer months for children with hearing loss. Children with varying degrees of hearing loss were enrolled in an auditory-oral 6-week part-time program. The language environment during preschool and at home was analyzed through use of Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA). LENA is a digital language processor that can record and analyze through specific measurements the natural language environment of a child. Overall, the children studied received significantly more complex language in preschool than in the home environment. The data suggest that children with hearing loss benefit from the opportunity to attend summer preschool programming. Additionally, it is critical that parents of preschoolers continue to receive parental education surrounding use of language strategies in the home environment. Implications for practice are discussed.

A tutorial on auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony for the speech-language pathologist and audiologist.

This article presents information about developmental outcomes of children with auditory neuropathy/auditory dyssynchrony (AN). Colorado data on the number of children screened and the number of children identified with unilateral and bilateral AN will be described. Descriptive information about the percent of children with AN with cognitive disability and disabilities other than hearing loss will be presented. Language outcomes of children with normal cognitive development will be presented. This article will also provide information about etiologies and audiological information of children with AN. It includes assessment tools that have been useful in decision making for children with AN.