Skip to main content

Audiology and Autism: Providing Sensory Support

Presentation Date: 27 October 2021
Duration: 1:04:46

Return to: AuDacity Archive

Disabling auditory features are inherent in autism. Evidence from audiology, neuroscience, and neuro-developmental research all highlight the differences in how autistic brains filter and interpret sensory input. It is no surprise that listening difficulties and sound sensitivities are among the most commonly experienced. Complex, interdependent processing of the dynamic qualities of running speech can be particularly problematic, and presumably contribute to the large prevalence of speech and language delay in autism (being among the first noticeable signs). Screening and early intervention is pivotal in identifying and supporting children with any communicative disability. Audiologists are conspicuously absent from the team of go-to experts, however. How might we (individually or collectively) change the perception of audiologists as sensory end-organ diagnosticians into longer-term therapeutic care providers? Perplexing, considering the promising evidence base unique to our field.


Speakers: Vanessa Rentschler, Au.D.