Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Considerations for Clinical Care in Pediatric Audiology

Presented at AAA 2019, March 29, 2019 in Columbus, OH, by the American Academy of Audiology Foundation with philanthropic support from the Oticon Foundation.

Presenters: Jolanta McCall, MS, MSc; Glenn Rall, PhD; and Christen Syzmanski, PhD

CEUs: 0.2 AAA CEUs

Duration: 2 hours

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Program Focus: Knowledge

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify at least one modification to the standard behavioral testing battery to improve the likelihood of obtaining hearing information from ASD children.
2. Identify how children with ASD may present in the clinic differently from typically developing peers.
3. Identify common misconceptions about the science of autism.

Description: Three experts will discuss different aspects of clinical management of hearing loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Areas of discussion will include the science behind autism, adapting clinical practices to test this population and how children with hearing loss and autism may present in the clinic.

Jolanta McCall, MA, MSc, CEO & Principal, Seashell Trust

Originally from Krakow, Poland, Jolanta holds an MA as a qualified Teacher of the Deaf and MSc qualification in educational audiology. 

Jolanta held a unique post that encompassed leadership in both Health and Special Education. She combined the roles of Head of Pediatric Audiology and South East London Newborn Hearing Screening Programme at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation Trust, in London, with the post of Head of Hearing Support Services. Additionally in the Evelina Hospital Community Directorate, she had leadership responsibility for children's therapy services and community outreach services. 

Jolanta has a national and international reputation, particularly for the development of innovative services. She was responsible for the development and establishment of the renowned Hummingbird Clinic, the only UK specialist clinic for hearing assessment for children with autism and complex needs. 

Her professional interests include early intervention, family centered approach, assistive devices and room acoustics.

Glenn Rall, PhD; Professor, Chief Academic Officer, Fox Chase Cancer Center

Glenn Rall, PhD, is the Chief Academic Officer of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he is also a Professor and Director of the Training Program. Rall received his undergraduate degree from Lafayette College, doctorate from Vanderbilt University, and postdoctoral training at the Scripps Research Institute. Rall is also an Adjunct Professor in the Microbiology and Immunology departments of the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University, Drexel University, and Temple University. Rall's laboratory studies viral infections and immunity in the brain, with the goal of defining how viruses contribute to disease in humans, including cancer. His current service to the scientific community includes Research Matters Editor of PLoS Pathogens, Program Chair of the American Society for Virology, membership on multiple NIH grant review panels, and service on the editorial boards of Virology and Journal of Virology. Rall is also a co-author of the leading virology textbook, Principles of Virology.

Christen A. Szymanski, PhD

Behavioral Support and Intervention
Clerc Center; Gallaudet University

Christen A. Szymanski, Ph.D. is currently at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School of the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center located on the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington DC. In her current role she provides direct behavioral intervention services to students, provides ongoing consultations to teachers, as well as works with families to provide wrap around support to foster student success at home, school and in the community. As a trained Clinical Psychologist, she specializes in treatment and behavioral interventions of children with neuro-developmental disabilities such as Autism, and children with complex emotional and behavioral disorders that impact learning and relationships. She has received trainings at Kennedy Krieger Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, and the University of Rochester. She has peer reviewed publications as well as traveled nationally and internationally discussing treatment, diagnostic and intervention practices pertaining to deaf children with autism and other developmental disabilities.