Are Children With Cochlear Implants More Likely To Develop Autism?

Oct. 23, 2008 -- Question: Are children with cochlear implants more likely to develop autism?

Answer: I'm not aware of literature that suggests that cochlear implants or other interventions for deafness place children at greater risk for autism. However, I think it's important to note that children who have other sensory defects such as vision disturbances, blindness or hearing defects often have features that are autistic-like features and behaviors like children with autism because of some of those communication problems that they will have.