FY 2008 Annual Report of Achievements - Gallaudet University

likely to be classified as secure on the AAI, but these results are not robust. Previous research exploring
the association between the AAI classifications and RDI classifications has produced similar results
(Morog, 1996; Pianta et. Al., 1996). As well, research has found an established link between RDI
classification and child attachment classification (Pianta et al., 1996). Work is currently in progress with
this data investigating this association.
Funding source: GRI Small Grant
FY 2007-2008 product(s):
Adams, E., & Brice P. (2008, August). Attachment states of mind and parental resolution of the diagnosis of child deafness. Presentation at
the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Boston.
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Deafness: Cultural Influence or Cultural
Confusion
Status: Completed Begin date: April 2006 End date: May 2008
Principal Investigator(s):
Szymanski, Christen (student) – Psychology
Brice, Patrick – Psychology
Description:
One of the most well known and one of the most severe disorders that afflicts children is autism.
Autism is one subgroup in a greater cluster of pervasive developmental disorders that afflicts and is
diagnosed in over 1.5 million individuals each year (Autism Society of America, 2006) with recent reports
estimating as many as 1 in 150 children as having autism (Centers for Disease Control, 2007). However,
little research is available on those children who are both deaf and autistic. This project collected
descriptive data on 19 families that had a deaf child diagnosed with autism. Sixteen of the children had
deaf parents; three had hearing parents. Parents were asked to complete a survey that included basic
demographic information, in-depth questions touching on commonly believed stereotypes of autism,
and commonly used items from established measures for autism. Results indicated that, while deafness
and autism can and do co-occur, the children who participated in the study did not meet the same criteria
or characteristics one would expect in a child with autism. In fact, several key characteristics of
stereotypical behavior and communication impairments did not meet the level of deficiency required for
a diagnosis of autism. Questions are raised as to a possible cultural influence in the scores of these
children. Further research is pending.
FY 2007-2008 product(s):
Szymanski, C., & Brice, P. (2008). Know the signs: Characteristics of autism in deaf children. Odyssey: New Directions in Deaf
Education, 9(1), 12-13.
Szymanski, C., & Brice, P. (2008). When autism and deafness coexist in children: What we know now. Odyssey: New Directions in
Deaf Education, 9(1), 10-15.
Szymanski, C. (2008, February). Deaf children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Cultural influence or cultural confusion? Presentation at
Gallaudet Research Institute First Wednesday Seminar Series, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC.
Szymanski, C. (2008, July). When autism and deafness coexist. Presentation at the national conference and exposition of the Autism
Society of America, Orlando, FL.
Szymanski, C. (2008, August). Autism and deafness: What do we really know? Presentation at the annual convention of the
American Psychological Association, Boston.
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