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Getting Your Deaf Child Evaluated for Autism: What to Ask, What to Watch For, and What to Do

This article is Part 3 of our Autism Awareness Month series. If you're just joining us, start with Part 1: Autism Looks Different in Every Child or jump back to Part 2: When Two Worlds Overlap.

A note before we begin: OULDHH is a community, not a clinic. We are not doctors or specialists. We are people who care about the Deaf and neurodivergent community and want to share what we have learned. Please work with professionals who know your child for advice specific to your situation.


The following is based on experiences documented by researchers and clinicians in many families.


She kept a notebook. Three pages of things she noticed about her daughter — things that didn't seem explained by her hearing loss alone. Her daughter got very upset when routines changed. She would copy signs back without using them to say anything. She had a hard time connecting with other Deaf kids.


The evaluator looked at the notebook and said, "A lot of this is normal for Deaf children. Let's wait and see."


That was the third time she had heard it.


If you have read When Two Worlds Overlap, you already know why this happens so often. This guide picks up from there. You have noticed the signs. You understand the problem. So what do you do next?


Questions to Ask Before You Book an Evaluation


Not every specialist knows how to evaluate a Deaf child for autism. The tools most often used were not made with Deaf children in mind. So who you see matters just as much as whether you go.


Here are some questions families have found helpful to ask first:


  • Have you evaluated Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing children before? General autism experience is helpful, but experience with Deaf children is different.

  • What tools will you use? Have any been adapted for Deaf children?

  • Will a sign language interpreter be there — or does someone on your team sign? Having an interpreter is not the same as having a clinician who understands Deaf communication.

  • Do you know what Sign Echolalia is? This is when a Deaf child copies signs they just saw rather than using them to ask for something or answer a question. (Not sure what this is? We explain it in When Two Worlds Overlap.) It is a known sign of autism in signing children — and many clinicians have never heard of it. How they respond to this question tells you a lot.


Not sure where to start? Your child's audiologist, doctor, or school team may be able to point you to someone with the right experience.


What Parents Have Noticed in Evaluations That Went Wrong


Every family's experience is different. But many parents have described evaluations that missed things, and they often had these things in common:


  • The tasks were mostly verbal with no visual options

  • Deaf cultural norms were not considered — for example, eye contact works differently in Deaf communication

  • What the parent shared was noted briefly but not really explored

  • Behaviors were explained as "just part of being Deaf" without looking deeper


Evaluations that went better usually involved more than one professional — like an audiologist, a psychologist, and a speech therapist working together. They also made real space for what parents had observed. Research shows that looking at what a child can do — not just where they struggle — gives a fuller and more accurate picture.



If You Are Dismissed — Again


Being told "it's just the hearing loss" for the third time does not mean you are wrong. Here is what you can do:


Ask for a written school evaluation. Schools must respond to a written request. If they say no, they have to put that in writing — and you have the right to push back. The Arc's guide to IEP rights explains your rights in plain language.


Get a second opinion. One clinician's answer is not the final word. Look for someone with experience in both autism and Deafness — it is hard to find, but these specialists exist.

Bring someone with you. A friend, advocate, or community member who knows your child can help. They can support you in the room and back up what you are saying.

After the Evaluation

If your child receives a dual diagnosis, the next step is to ensure their school plan covers both—not just one. We talk about what that looks like in When Two Worlds Overlap.


Here are some resources to keep handy:



You Already Know Your Child


The parent with the notebook knew something. She was right.


You do not need a medical degree to know when something is being missed. You need the right questions, the right resources, and people who will actually listen. We hope this helps you feel more ready walking in.


If you are going through this right now — or just starting to wonder — reach out. Others in this community have been there. You will find more support than you expect.


Do you have a story about getting a dual diagnosis in the Deaf community? We would love to hear it. Please send it to oulorg22@gmail.com.


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