Abstract:

The aim of the research:
The coincidence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with hearing impairment is a current, important issue. The importance of this educational, as well as assessment problem, is reflected e.g. in the statistics presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, which reported on the increasing incidence of this diagnose - in 2007 the combination of PAS and hearing impairment was detected in 1 out of 76 children with ASD and in 2012 the ratio has increased to 1 out of 56 children. In 2013, the epidemiological study mapping 230,000 children under the age of 8 was carried out in Atlanta. The results of this study pointed to the fact that 18 of the total sample of 308 children with hearing impairment had also autistic spectrum disorder (6%). The research also confirmed a higher prevalence of boys than girls at a ratio of 15:3. In the local, national context, there is a lack of research results on this issue, which represents a transdisciplinary areas overlap not only in the fields of special education, but also in the medical and technology sectors. A primary problem is a communication disorder, which is remarkable, due to problems based on ASD, at very early age. Moreover, with regard to deficits in auditory perception, this type of communication disability represents a specific category requiring individual diagnostic and interventional approach. The use of sign language in individuals with ASD is not always automatic and unproblematic; it might be even very limited. On the other hand, it can also bring some benefit and become either a major (alternative) or significant augmentative communication way.

The research methodology:
In the paper we discuss the possibilities of use of sign language in people with autism and hearing impairment, possible reasons for barriers in the acquisition of sign language in this specific diagnostic group, also mentioning the importance of early diagnosis and possible use of assistive devices. The research-oriented part of the paper is based on the results of the questionnaire survey focused on regional coordinators of ASD in the Czech Republic and professionals working in special education centers for hearing impaired in the Czech Republic. The investigation is focused on mapping the coincidence of ASD and hearing impairment, in order to reflect on the effectiveness of sign language with these clients and the quality of the acquisition of new signs.

Results:
From the results it is evident, for example, that 43% of all respondents consider application of sign language as being positive; to negative opinion tend only 9% of the participants. On the other hand, despite these results, all respondents were aware of the fact that the acquisition of new signs in individuals with ASD and hearing impairment is not unproblematic. In the paper we also introduce the analysis of communication areas mostly deficit in individuals with ASD and hearing impairment most deficient areas. The analysis is based on two detailed case studies undertaken in persons with ASD and hearing impairment.

Keywords:

Autism spectrum disorder, communication disabiliy, hearing impairment, sign language, speech and language therapy.