How to Use Hearing Tests to Detect Autism

Children who have autism often have adequate gross hearing skills, while still not responding to their own names. Other children may have good hearing but do not speak in sentences or just mumble. A hearing test administered by a professional can rule out auditory dysfunction, while helping parents determine whether autism is a possibility.

Things You'll Need

• Medical records
• Pediatrician
• Hearing Specialist

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Instructions

• 1

  Study the generalized guidelines for speech development in small children. Not every child will begin to talk and communicate the same way at the same time. Your child may simply not be ready to communicate verbally at a certain age, so speak to your pediatrician before concluding he has autism.

• 2

  Speak with your pediatrician before contacting a hearing specialist. Your pediatrician can conduct preliminary hearing tests before recommending a specialist to you.

• 3

  Ask for the name of more than one specialist when you meet with your pediatrician. Specialists can take months to see you for an appointment, so having several options can help move the process along more quickly.

• 4

  Seek a second opinion from another hearing specialist. Use the information from your pediatrician and your first specialist visit to talk with the doctor giving the second opinion.

• 5

  Bring the results of all your child's hearing tests to a language or speech therapist. This specialist will not only be able to interpret the tests, but can also use the information to design a therapy plan for your child.