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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Parental Stress in Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing with an Autism Spectrum Disorder' Track: 7 - Family Perspectives and Support Keyword(s): autism spectrum disorder, family stress Learning Objectives: Describe differences in stress experienced by families of children who are deaf/hh with and without an autism spectrum disorder Identify strategies to support families with a child who is deaf/hh with an autism spectrum disorder Abstract: Background: Despite high rates of children who are deaf/hard of hearing (deaf/HH) having an autism spectrum disorder (~7%), there is limited understanding of the needs of these children. The experience of stress in families of children with the dual diagnosis is unknown. Objectives: This pilot study sought to understand factors relating to caregiver stress in families of deaf/HH children with a co-existing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Families of children who were deaf/HH with and without an ASD were identified through a clinical database. Families completed questionnaires focusing on stress, including the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) and the Pediatric Hearing Impairment Caregiver Experience (PHICE). The PHICE measures on a scale of 1-8 (low to high stress) domains in the areas of communication, social, education, emotional, equipment, financial, healthcare, and support. An open-ended qualitative questionnaire was also administered. Results: Information from 6 families of children with the dual diagnosis and 4 families of children who were deaf/HH were analyzed. On the PSI, the dual group had a higher mean total stress index (58.5 vs 41.5, p=0.02) as compared to the deaf/HH only group and higher Child Domain scores (43 vs 60; p=0.02). On the PHICE, families of children with the dual diagnosis had higher median scores than families of children who were deaf/HH (179.5 vs 150.5, p=0.08). In the dual diagnosis group reporting high levels of stress, 50% noted high levels of stress about their child’s future, 33% indicated worry about not doing enough for the child and not attending to other family needs, and 33% indicated high levels of stress related to childcare. Conclusions: Families of children with the dual diagnosis report higher levels of overall stress as compared to families of children who are deaf/hh, often related to their child’s future. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Susan Wiley - Primary Presenter Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center      Credentials: M.D., Developmental Pediatrician, Professor       Dr. Susan Wiley is a developmental pediatrician with expertise in children who are deaf/hard of hearing. She has many years of experience serving children with multiple disabilities.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Jareen Meinzen-Derr - Author Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center      Credentials: PhD, MPH       Dr. Meinzen-Derr is quantitative epidemiologist at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She has focused her research on outcomes of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and specifically those who have additional developmental disabilities.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Receives Grants for Other activities from HRSA.   Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Dora Murphy - Co-Presenter The Christ Hospital      Credentials: AUD       Dora is an audiologist at The Christ Hospital. She participated in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in the Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. Her interdisciplinary research study was on aspects of stress in families of children who are deaf/hard of hearing with an autism spectrum disorder.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Rebecca Hudock - Author Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center      Credentials: PsyD       Dr. Hudock is a clinical psychologist with expertise in working with children with autism spectrum disorders. She was completed training with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities at Cincinnati Children's Hosptial Medical Center in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Debra Bentley - Author Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center      Credentials: parent, child with a disability       Katie is a parent of a child with a disability. She was a parent trainee in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabiliites at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Tanishia Williams - Author Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center      Credentials: MD       Dr. Williams is a neurodevelopmental pediatrician who completed training in the Leadershp Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Lisa Hunter - Author Cincinnati Children's Hospital      Credentials: PhD       Lisa Hunter is Scientific Director of Audiology and Professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati. She collaborates on a number of funded studies including evaluating physiologic factors associated with risks for hearing loss and understanding mechanisms for improved follow-up with newborn hearing screening in high risk famlies. She is a faculty with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -