Autism and the amplitude of the ABR wave I

Abstract

Autism is a behaviorally diagnosed disorder defined by failure to develop communicative and social skills, presence of mannerisms and great distress over minor changes. Characteristically autistic children present hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, excessive calmness or psychomotor hyperreactivity, poor physical coordination even though a proper motor activity is present, aggression including self-aggression, sleeping disorders and multisensory integration. Hearing disorders are common among children with autism. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children seems to have a higher prevalence of audiologic alterations such as sensorineural or conductive hearing loss, otitis media with effusion or hyperacusis. Abnormal auditory pathway functioning, can range from the cochlea to the cortex. In this case-control retrospective study, children with ASD will have their hearing capabilities assessed by Auditory brainstem response (ABR) because of their lack of cooperation to perform audiological exams. The ABR results will be later compared to those of a group of children with suspected language delay in order to estimate the association between autism and a higher amplitude of the ABR wave I, and understand if this could be an early marker to ASD diagnosis