Co-occuring conditions

Data suggests that’s around 2-4% of deaf children also have autism. Both deafness and autism can have a significant impact on communication and language development.

In addition, there may be factors that make accurately diagnosing autism a challenge for deaf children. On average, a child who is deaf will be diagnosed with autism later in life than a hearing child with autism. It’s important to work with a competent and trained professional to determine a timely and proper diagnosis. The MN Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Division offers resources and support to help find a mental health provider who can properly screen, diagnosis or make a referral.

The National Deaf Children’s Society offers information and supports for deaf children who have autism.

The Minnesota Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program provides information and resources for Minnesota parents, families, and providers as they navigate newborn hearing screening, the follow-up process, and planning to support a child who is identified as deaf or hard of hearing. For information specific to families, visit Resources for Families.

Communication

Children with autism struggle with eye contact and joint attention (when parents naturally draw their child’s attention to something by, for example, looking at it themselves or using gestures) which can make the communication approaches often used by deaf children, such as lip-reading or sign language, more difficult.

Some families use non-verbal forms of communication, such as a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). A speech and language therapist may also be able to provide advice on the use of PECS and other non-verbal forms of communication.

The MN DHS DHHSD also offers information on Assistive Technology and Communication access.

Education

Most parents in Minnesota will work with their home school district to determine the best placement for their child using an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The best fit for your child depends on a number of factors, including your child's unique communication needs, the school's educational curriculum, opportunities for social interaction and location.

It is important for parents to be informed and educated about the options available, so that they can ensure their child's IEP ensures full access to education. Having information helps parents to make decisions, but sometimes the wealth of information available may seem overwhelming. Whatever decision you make, keep in mind that you can always change course if something isn't meeting your child's needs.

The MN Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division website includes information on Schools and programs serving deaf and hard of hearing children.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division provides many helpful resources to families of children with hearing loss, including:

• Information and referrals to a wide range of resources, through this website and through our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialists
• Grants to community programs
• Grants to mental health service providers who serve deaf and hard of hearing children

The Minnesota Resource Center: Deaf/Hard of Hearing, part of MDE, is a statewide resource center providing information and resources to help families and educators meet the educational needs of Minnesota children and youth who have a hearing loss. Children and youth who have varying types and degrees of hearing loss may be eligible to receive special education and related services.

See the Deaf and Hard of Hearing library for educational materials located at the Academy for the Deaf and the MN Department of Education website on Deaf and Hard of Hearing for information on interpreters and other resources.

Studies show that 70% of people with autism also have some type of gastrointestinal disorder. These conditions can cause a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as reflux, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and other concerns. Some people may also have selective eating which can impact gastrointestinal concerns.

Gastrointestinal conditions can be overlooked by parents and doctors due to a person’s communication barriers or other needs. If your child is demonstrating a behavior that is out of character for them, they could be experiencing GI discomfort. Sleep disturbance, laying on their stomach, holding their stomach, constipation, loose stool, change in eating habits, and other sudden changes in behavior may indicate a GI issue.

If you or your child is having gastrointestinal concerns speak with a primary care physician to discuss a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist. If you receive health care services through a health plan, call the health plan customer service number on the back of your health plan ID card or use the provider directory your health plan mailed to you. If you are searching for a primary care physician, visit MinnesotaHelp.info or use the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) Provider Directory to find health care providers that serve fee-for-service MHCP members. If you have questions, call the MHCP Member Help Desk at 651-431-2670 or 800-657-3739.

The Children and Youth with Special Health Needs division of Minnesota Department of Health also has information and resources for families.

Some people with autism may have other developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, intellectual disability, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, fragile X or others. These conditions and autism can have a significant impact on communication and language development.

In addition, there may be factors that make accurately diagnosing autism a challenge for children with co-occurring developmental disabilities. It’s important to work with a competent and trained professional to determine a timely and proper diagnosis. A Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician can help diagnosis and make appropriate referrals. If you receive health care services through a health plan, call the health plan customer service number on the back of your health plan ID card or use the provider directory your health plan mailed to you. If you are searching for a primary care physician, visit MinnesotaHelp.info or use the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) Provider Directory to find health care providers that serve fee-for-service MHCP members. If you have questions, call the MHCP Member Help Desk at 651-431-2670 or 800-657-3739.

There are many groups that are specific to certain developmental disabilities, in these group you can lean and connect with others families and supports:

• MN Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Down Syndrome Association
• United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota
• Arc of Minnesota
• Minnesota Spina Bifida Association
• Fragile X Association

The Children and Youth with Special Health Needs division of Minnesota Department of Health also has information and resources for families.

Studies suggest that people with autism experience sleep disorders a rate of 40-80%. Researchers don't know for sure why people with autism have more issues with sleep, but they have several theories. Theories include melatonin imbalance, circadian rhythm disruption, sensory sensitivity, anxiety, and others. Lack of sleep can hinder growth, affect developmental, and mood. Also when a person is not sleeping it can affect the quality sleep of caregivers and others in the home.

You may find it helpful to keep a sleep journal to record how much sleep you or your child is getting. In the journal record the following:

• What time was bed?
• How easy was it to go to bed? (e.g., easily, after some time, difficulty)
• Did night time wakening occur? For how long?
• Were there any disturbances during the night? (e.g., storm, dog barking, etc.)
• Total hours of sleep?
• How rested did you or your child feel in the morning? (e.g., rested, somewhat tired, very tired, etc.)

If you or your child regularly has difficulty falling asleep or wakes up repeatedly during the night, it may be a sign of a larger sleep concern. You should speak with a primary care physician to discuss a referral to a Pediatric Sleep Specialist or sleep study. If you receive health care services through a health plan, call the health plan customer service number on the back of your health plan ID card or use the provider directory your health plan mailed to you. If you are searching for a primary care physician, visit MinnesotaHelp.info or use the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) Provider Directory to find health care providers that serve fee-for-service MHCP members. If you have questions, call the MHCP Member Help Desk at 651-431-2670 or 800-657-3739.

The Children and Youth with Special Health Needs division of Minnesota Department of Health also has information and resources for families.

Studies indicate that between 10-26% of people with autism also have epilepsy which exceeds the totally population prevalence of 1.2%.

There are different type of seizures and people with autism do not experience one particular kind. If you suspect your child is having a seizure seek medical care right away. Because the prevalence of seizure amongst people with autism is so high, the Epilepsy Foundation has created a fact sheet to help. The Epilepsy Foundation of MN also has resources and supports.

The Children and Youth with Special Health Needs division of Minnesota Department of Health also has information and resources for families.

If you receive health care services through a health plan, call the health plan customer service number on the back of your health plan ID card or use the provider directory your health plan mailed to you. If you are searching for a primary care physician, visit MinnesotaHelp.info or use the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) Provider Directory to find health care providers that serve fee-for-service MHCP members. If you have questions, call the MHCP Member Help Desk at 651-431-2670 or 800-657-3739.

People with autism can also develop mental health conditions such as Anxiety Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Depression. Research shows that people with autism are at higher risk for some mental health conditions than people without autism. Managing these co-occurring conditions with medications and/or therapy, can help people live their best life.

There are many groups that can help people and families better understand mental health, you can lean and connect with others families and supports:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota: Connect for help, to navigate the mental health system, and for support and for resources.
Call: 1-888-NAMI-Helps or 1-888-626-4435

Crisis Services

• Crisis Text Line: The 24/7 emergency service is available if you or someone you know is experiencing a psychiatric or mental health crisis.
  • Text: "MN" to 741741
• Crisis Services: Call **CRISIS (274747) from a mobile phone to talk to your county mental health crisis team. From a landline, find your county mental health crisis phone number here:
  • Adult Mental Health Crisis Response Numbers
  • Children Mental Health Crisis Response Numbers

Children

The Minnesota department of Human services offers a variety of children’s mental health services including early childhood mental health services, evidence based practices, and school linked mental health services.

There are also additional children's mental health programs and services based on their level of need, including but not limited to, Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports, Certified Family Peer Specialist, and Intensive Treatment to Foster Care and Partial Hospitalization Programs.

To access services, contact your child's health care provider, health care plan, county or tribe (PDF) for information and referrals. If you have questions, call the MHCP Member Help Desk at 651-431-2670 or 800-657-3739.

The Children and Youth with Special Health Needs division of Minnesota Department of Health also has information and resources for families.

Adults

The Minnesota department of Human services offers a variety of Adult Mental Health Services, including:

• Certified peer specialists are individuals who have a lived experience of mental illness and are trained to be direct service mental health staff.
• Certified peer specialists are employed by a range of mental health services, offering support and hope to individuals with a lived experience of mental illness by sharing their story and helping them to discover their strengths.

Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) can provide individuals with:

• Basic living and social skills
• Certified peer specialist services
• Community intervention
• Medication education
• Transition to community living Services are provided at the person’s place of residence.
• There is a list of certified ARMHS providers in each county.

Adult day treatment is a short-term, community-based mental health program consisting of group psychotherapy, rehabilitative services and other therapeutic group services provided by a multidisciplinary team. Adult day treatment services are linked to goals and objectives identified in an individual’s treatment plan, which will lead to improvement in the person’s mental illness.

You can access mental health services through a community based provider. If you receive health care services through a health plan, call the health plan customer service number on the back of your health plan ID card or use the provider directory your health plan mailed to you. If you are searching for a primary care physician, visit MinnesotaHelp.info or use the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) Provider Directory to find health care providers that serve fee-for-service MHCP members. If you have questions, call the MHCP Member Help Desk at 651-431-2670 or 800-657-3739.

Pica is when a person eats non-food or non-nutritional substances beyond a stage of development that is appropriate (I.e., typically children over 18 months of age). Items vary from person to person and may include hair, dirt, rocks, feces or other inedible substances. See the Provider’s Guide to Managing Pica in Children with Autism (PDF) for information on potential causes and ways to approach the behavior.

Pica: A Guide for Parents (PDF) provides information and resources for families on pica.

See the Feeding Therapy section under Intervention and Services: Healthcare and Wellness for more information.

Early intervention is critical for a child with a sensory loss. Blindness or vision loss results in compromised or missing access to people, communication and social interactions, which can significantly impact the child’s early learning and brain development. Collaboration among service providers and with the child’s family is essential in building the family’s capacity to provide experiences that will support the child’s overall learning and development.

For children who are receiving an evaluation or assessment for services and supports, teams must address the child’s physical development, including vision. It is recommended that the team consult with a teacher of the blind/visually impaired (TBVI). MN Department of Education has additional information and resources.

FamilyConnect is a service offered by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) to give parents and other family members of children who are visually impaired–and professionals who work with them–a supportive place for sharing and finding resources on raising their children from birth to adulthood. Whether your child was recently diagnosed, has been living with a visual impairment for years, or is multiply disabled, you’ll find the personal support, information, and resources you need to raise a child with vision loss.

ParentConnect is a virtual family support group for parents and families of children who are blind or visually impaired. These monthly sessions are for families to connect with and learn from each other about the joys, challenges, and adventures of raising children with visual impairments and blindness. These sessions are open to families on the first Wednesday of every month, 7:30-8:30 p.m. (EST).

Apraxia of speech (AOS) is having difficulty planning and coordinating the movements necessary for speech. AOS can independently occur without issues in areas such as verbal comprehension, reading comprehension, writing, articulation, or prosody.

Apraxia Kids is the leading nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech by educating professionals and families; facilitating community engagement and outreach; and investing in the future through advocacy and research.