title: A summary of current understanding regarding children with autism spectrum disorder who are deaf or hard of hearing.
abstract: This article provides a consensus perspective based on the authors' expertise and the limited available literature regarding our understanding of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH). The challenges in the accurate identification of an ASD in children who are D/HH, including red flags for a potential ASD and screening and assessment for ASD, are described in this article. Additionally, strategies to guide professionals in their communication about a possible ASD with families and to frame the need for expanding aspects of communication important for this group of children are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, Boston Children's Hospital at Waltham, Waltham, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szarkowski
authors.affiliation: Child Development Unit, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mood
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Boston University.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shield
authors.affiliation: Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiley
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yoshinaga-Itano
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003147:Communication Disorders; D003638:Deafness / Q000150:complications*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities