Neurodevelopmental Disorders Comorbid with Deafness in Children: A Review

Abstract

Deaf children are not a homogenous group and differ in terms of type, severity, and causes of damage and coexisting disorders. In 20 to 30% of deaf children, there is at least one co-occurring disorder that may make it difficult for these children to achieve the language, social, emotional, and communication skills expected from rehabilitation services. Therefore, the current study seeks to answer the question, how much has been addressed in past research on the etiology, evaluation, and rehabilitation of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with deafness? In the present study, an attempt was made to provide coherent information regarding the prevalence rate, methods, and barriers of evaluation by reviewing the research conducted in the field of deafness and co-occurring disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum, learning disability, and mental disability separately and provide rehabilitation and training. By studying the research conducted in this field, it was found that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, learning disability, and mental retardation play a greater role in co-occurring disorders with deafness compared to other neurodevelopmental disorders.