RESUMO
Abstract Introduction Cochlear implants have become the method of choice for the treatment of severe-to-profound hearing loss in both children and adults. Its benefits are well documented in the pediatric and adult population. Also deaf children with additional needs, including autism, have been covered by this treatment. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the benefits from cochlear implantation in deafened children with autism as the only additional disability. Methods This study analyzes data of six children. The follow-up time was at least 43 months. The following data were analyzed: medical history, reaction to music and sound, Ling's six sounds test, onomatopoeic word test, reaction to spoken child's name, response to requests, questionnaire given to parents, sound processor fitting sessions and data. Results After cochlear implantation each child presented other communication skills. In some children, the symptoms of speech understanding were observed. No increased hyperactivity associated with daily use cochlear implant was observed. The study showed that in autistic children the perception is very important for a child's sense of security and makes contact with parents easier. Conclusion Our study showed that oral communication is not likely to be a realistic goal in children with cochlear implants and autism. The implantation results showed benefits that varied among those children. The traditional methods of evaluating the results of cochlear implantation in children with autism are usually insufficient to fully assess the functional benefits. These benefits should be assessed in a more comprehensive manner taking into account the limitations of communication resulting from the essence of autism. It is important that we share knowledge about these complex children with cochlear implants.
Resumo Introdução Os implantes Cocleares tornaram-se o metodo de escolha para o tratamento da perda auditiva severa a profunda em crianças e adultos. Seus beneficios estao bem documentados nas populaçoes pediatrica e adulta. Tambem as crianças surdas com necessidades adicionais, incluindo autismo, tem sido incluidas nesse tratamento. Objetivo O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os beneficios do implante coclear em crianças surdas com autismo como unica deficiencia adicional. Método Esse estudo analisa os dados de seis crianças. O tempo de seguimento foi de pelo menos 43 meses. Foram analisados os seguintes dados: historico medico, a reaçao a musica e ao som, teste dos seis sons de Ling, teste de palavra onomatopaica, reaçao ao nome falado da criança, resposta a pedidos, questionario aplicado aos pais, sessoes de ajustes e dados do processador de som. Resultados Apos o implante coclear, cada criança apresentou outras habilidades de comunicaçao. Em algumas crianças, foram observados sinais de compreensao da fala. Nao foi observado aumento de hiperatividade associada com o uso diario de implante coclear. O estudo mostrou que em crianças autistas a percepçao e muito importante para a sensaçao de segurança da criança e torna o contato com os pais mais facil. Conclusão Nosso estudo mostrou que a comunicaçao oral nao e uma meta realistica provavel em crianças com implantes cocleares e autismo. Os resultados do implante mostraram beneficios variaveis entre as crianças. Os metodos tradicionais de avaliaçao dos resultados do implante coclear em crianças com autismo sao geralmente insuficientes para avaliar plenamente os beneficios funcionais. Esses beneficios devem ser avaliados de forma mais abrangente, tendo em conta as limitaçoes de comunicaçao resultantes da essencia do autismo. E importante que compartilhemos conhecimentos sobre essas complexas crianças com implantes cocleares.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Cochlear implants have become the method of choice for the treatment of severe-to-profound hearing loss in both children and adults. Its benefits are well documented in the pediatric and adult population. Also deaf children with additional needs, including autism, have been covered by this treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the benefits from cochlear implantation in deafened children with autism as the only additional disability. METHODS: This study analyzes data of six children. The follow-up time was at least 43 months. The following data were analyzed: medical history, reaction to music and sound, Ling's six sounds test, onomatopoeic word test, reaction to spoken child's name, response to requests, questionnaire given to parents, sound processor fitting sessions and data. RESULTS: After cochlear implantation each child presented other communication skills. In some children, the symptoms of speech understanding were observed. No increased hyperactivity associated with daily use cochlear implant was observed. The study showed that in autistic children the perception is very important for a child's sense of security and makes contact with parents easier. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that oral communication is not likely to be a realistic goal in children with cochlear implants and autism. The implantation results showed benefits that varied among those children. The traditional methods of evaluating the results of cochlear implantation in children with autism are usually insufficient to fully assess the functional benefits. These benefits should be assessed in a more comprehensive manner taking into account the limitations of communication resulting from the essence of autism. It is important that we share knowledge about these complex children with cochlear implants.