Hearing Impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Developmental Functioning in Infants and Toddlers

This study compared children with atypical development (n = 24), comorbid atypical development and D/HI (n = 24), ASD only (n = 24), and comorbid ASD and D/HI (n = 24). The results indicated that an ASD diagnosis was a stronger indicator of ASD symptomology, overall developmental functioning, adaptive skills, personal-social skills, and communication skills than D/HI. However, the interaction between ASD and D/HI was more dynamic for the motor and cognitive domains. The results of the current study emphasize the importance of improved assessment techniques to identify both ASD and D/HI when they co-occur. Future research should be conducted to further elucidate the interaction of ASD and D/HI, as well as investigate these comorbidities in older samples.
Source: Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities - Category: Disability Source Type: research