Autism and Deafness

Signpost to websites and media

Some of these provide regular newsletters

http://www.Autismeducationtrust.org

http://www.Autismeye.com

Educational placement  in England

Choosing an education setting for a deaf autistic child will depend on several factors.  Although parents may wish to choose a local school it is possible that provision locally cannot support the needs of the child.  A placement in a resource provision for autism  or one for deaf children will depend on the relative needs of each diagnosis.  Sometimes a special school placement may be beneficial; compromise is often needed.

This is a complex area and there is little research available to suggest a ‘best’ mode of communication.  As is the case with deaf children, a range of communication modes are likely.  The choice will be determined by a range of factors:

Understanding Autism - definitions and associated conditions

What is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people, and how they experience the world around them.

Autism is a spectrum condition.  All autistic people share certain difficulties, but being autistic will affect individuals in different ways.

References on ‘deafness’ which may link with indicators of autism

Dye, M.W.G, Hauser, P.C. Sustained attention, selective attention and cognitive control in deaf and hearing children  (2014) Hearing Research, 309, pp. 94-102.

James, D.M., Wadnerkar-Kamble, M.B., Lam-Cassettari, C. Video feedback intervention: A case series in the context of childhood hearing impairment (2013) International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 48 (6), pp. 666-678.

If you have examples you could share please get in touch: exec@batod.org.uk

These will give an overview of children and young people who are deaf and on the autistic spectrum and include a range of successful strategies used with the individual, and those which were not so successful.  They are listed in age order.

A draft 'scaffold' Case Study document to assist in producing a case study report is available along with a permission form if photographs and video are used.

We have collected together various web-links to resources.

There are many support strategies which have proven helpful but the individual profile will determine which are appropriate and how best to put them into practice.  Many do not have research evidence. See Choosing Autism Interventions: A Research Based Guide Bernard  Fleming, Elisabeth Hurley and the Goth. Pavilion 2015

It is well established that autistic and deaf children have both strengths and challenges when it comes to learning.  Different neural processing and life experiences impact the areas of language and communication which in turn impact learning and social interaction.

Explanations of terms and conditions essential to beginning to understand the relationships within autism and deafness.