Assessing Signed Language Development in Deaf/Signing Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In this chapter, the authors discuss assessment of signed language development in deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) signing children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The development of sign in D/HH children with ASD is an area of growing research, with recent papers describing how the language profile of such children is both similar to and different from hearing/speaking children with ASD. The authors highlight the difficulties of assessing signed language in this population, focusing on a lack of tests designed specifically for D/HH children. Furthermore, they describe how variations in degree of exposure to sign at home and different behavioral norms in the Deaf community complicate identification and assessment. Finally, the authors suggest some directions for possible future research.