2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 10:05 AM - 10:35 AM | An Interprofessional Approach to Evaluating Children with Developmental Delays: The important role of the audiologist | River Terrace 3/Deck 3
An Interprofessional Approach to Evaluating Children with Developmental Delays: The important role of the audiologist
Audiologists have participated in interprofessional teams for several decades and are familiar with the value that it brings to pediatric cochlear implantation and educational performance. However, as the prevalence of developmental delay, autism, and ADD/ADHD increases, audiologists can consider participation in a team with developmental pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and geneticists. Children with hearing loss may demonstrate developmental delays and behaviors similar to children with autism, speech delay, and ADHD/ADD and it is important to rule out hearing loss as a contributing factor. In addition, audiologists often recognize characteristics consistent with autism and can have a role in screening and referral. Audiologists know the importance of completing an audiological evaluation prior to, or as part of, a speech-language or developmental evaluation to ensure children have adequate hearing for speech and language development. Yet, many preschool children, some with risk factors for hearing loss, are falling through the cracks and have not had their hearing screened since birth. Once in the booth, audiologists are faced with another dilemma of determining how much audiological information is enough to “screen” hearing or when to proceed with diagnostic testing, including sedated ABR. This presentation will present ideas and examples of interprofessional collaboration and discuss considerations for testing pediatric patients.
- Understand the role and value of audiologists in an interprofessional team that evaluates children for autism, developmental delay, and ADD/ADHD.
- Review current practices for hearing screening and audiological evaluation in young children.
- Discuss considerations for evaluating pediatric patients with developmental delays.
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Presenters/Authors
Robin Stoner
(Co-Presenter), Rush University, robin_stoner@rush.edu;
Robin Stoner, AuD is an Assistant Professor in the AuD program at Rush University in Chicago, IL. She has been a clinical audiologist for over 20 years. Prior to joining the faculty at Rush University in 2022, she had been a staff audiologist at Rush University Medical Center since 2007. Her interests include pediatric auditory evaluation, ABR, adult amplification, and clinical education. Robin completed her undergraduate degree in Speech & Hearing Science at the University of Illinois. She received her Master of Science degree in Audiology from Rush University in 2001 and AuD degree from Salus University in 2006.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Rush University.
Nature: Assistant Professor at Rush University,
Illinois Universal Newborn Screening Advisory Committee (UNSAC)/Genetic and Metabolic Diseases Advisory Committee, Committee member 2020-present
.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Megan Worthington
(Primary Presenter), Rush University , Megan_M_Worthington@Rush.edu;
Megan Worthington, AuD, is an audiologist, assistant professor and the manager of clinical education for the Rush University Doctor of Audiology program. She is also the audiology coordinator of the Rush University SCOPE Speech and Hearing clinic, providing pro bono services to people in need. She graduated from Rush University with her AuD in 2008 and started teaching a pediatric amplification and habilitation course at Rush University in 2014 before becoming full-time faculty in 2017. Prior to making her return to Rush, she was a clinical audiologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem specializing in pediatric audiology and cochlear implants for nine years. She previously had adjunct appointments at Northwestern University, Saint Xavier University and the Hebrew Theological College while working as a clinical audiologist. She is a past President of the Illinois Academy of Audiology (ILAA) and has served on the board of directors for ILAA in multiple positions. She is on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources. Dr. Worthington is currently working on her dissertation for her PhD in Health Sciences at Rush University. Her main interest areas are pediatric hearing loss, children with co-occurring disabilities, hearing and autism, and clinical education.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with .
Nature: Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources- Board of Directors- Worthington .
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with .
Nature: Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources- Board of Directors- Worthington .