2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/14/2022 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence necessitates extended learning for pediatric audiologists | Room 3
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence necessitates extended learning for pediatric audiologists
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has a prevalence of 1 in 59 children. According to the Gallaudet University Annual Survey of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Youth 2013-2014, the prevalence of co-occurring ASD diagnosis with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) is 3% nationwide. Other studies suggest an even higher prevalence, of up to 7% with belief that this may not be capturing the prevalence in totality due to access to evaluation and treatment of ASD. This data may be interpreted as not significant, but children with ASD have a ten times higher prevalence of hearing loss than in the general population.
At a very young age, hearing loss and ASD in children can have similar characteristics which makes timely diagnosis more difficult. On average, children with dual diagnosis of DHH/ ASD are diagnosed with Autism much later than children with normal hearing. The ASD diagnosis occurs on average around 4 years of age, while children who are DHH/ASD are typically diagnosed closer to 5.5 or 6 years of age.
The prevalence of ASD in the general population as well as the rising prevalence of hearing loss and ASD in children constitutes the need for specific training for professionals to provide equitable care to all children and families. In response to the need for improved systems of care for children with a dual diagnosis of DHH/ASD, the Ga LEND program has developed targeted professional development for early intervention providers using the ECHO learning model focusing on improving services and supports for children with DHH/ASD and their families. This presentation will review the content of the training, discuss the interdisciplinary collaboration of subject matter experts and their contributions to the training, and reflect on data related to the learning outcomes.
- Participants will be able to identify the prevalence of co-occurring ASD and D/HH in children.
- Participants will be able to describe the ECHO learning model for early intervention professionals by GSU LEND focusing on improving supports and services for children and families with dual diagnosis DHH/ASD.
- Participants will be able to outline the interdisciplinary components of providing services for children and families with dual diagnosis DHH/ASD.
Presentation:
3353554_15081LindseyKovacs.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Lindsey Kovacs
(InPerson), Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Lindsey.Kovacs@choa.org;
Lindsey is a fourth year AuD student at the University of Cincinnati. She is currently completing her externship at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Lindsey is also a trainee in the Georgia LEND Pediatric Audiology Program.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
• Receives Salary for Employment from Georgia State University LEND.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Akilah Heggs
(), Georgia State University, aheggs1@gsu.edu;
I am a certified clinical audiologist with 20 years of experience in pediatric audiology and have served as the state coordinator for the Georgia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program. For the past 7 years, I have been the audiology discipline faculty for Georgia State University’s HRSA-funded Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program and the instructor for the Systems of Care course. Through my doctoral degree in Public Health, I have training in health promotion with a particular emphasis on maternal and child health, specifically related to children with special healthcare needs. I have a strong interest in capacity building within public health for maternal and child health programs, particularly addressing issues related to access and equity of health services for children with disabilities.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.