Impulsivity in Rubella Deaf Children: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Within a longitudinal study of children with congenital rubella, 85 Deaf Only adolescents, 85 Deaf Multihandicapped, and 34 Normal controls were studied with respect to impulsivity. The majority of the deaf group had severe or profound hearing loss. Prevalence of impulsivity and self abuse clearly differentiated Deaf Only from Deaf Multihandicapped. In adolescence, one-fifth of the Deaf Only and three-fifths of the Deaf Multihandicapped showed impulsivity; only Deaf Multihandicapped were self abusive. For both the Deaf Only and the Deaf Multihandicapped groups, impulsivity at adolescence was a continuation of this trait from earlier developmental periods. In contrast, self abuse was a transient behavior for the Deaf Only but was persistent for the Deaf Multihandicapped from early childhood. A meaningful discussion of impulsivity in deaf children necessitates differentiation of Deaf Only from Deaf Multihandicapped.

Practitioner Review: The Assessment and Treatment of Deaf Children with Psychiatric Disorders

“…The diagnosis of ADHD is often confounded by factors such as a perceived increase in impulsivity in deaf children (Harris, 1978 ;O'Brien, 1987), particularly in children with deafness due to congenital rubella with additional impairments (Chess & Fernandez, 1980). The deaf child's reliance on visual cues in the classroom as well as at play can add to these diagnostic difficulties.…”

Sustained attention, selective attention and cognitive control in deaf and hearing children

“…In a study of teacher-identified problem behaviors in deaf children, Reivich and Rothrock (1972) suggested that impulsivity and a lack of inhibitory control accounted for a significant amount of the problem behaviors reported. Chess and Fernandez (1980) reported elevated levels of impulsive behavior in deaf children manifest as aggressive acts such as kicking, hitting, and biting. Theirs was a study of deaf children whose mothers had Rubella during gestation, and the aggressive behaviors were more prevalent in those with multiple disabilities, than in the healthy children with deafness alone.…”

Clinically confirmed congenital rubella syndrome: the role of echocardiography

“…They include, but are not limited to, patent ductus arteriosis, pulmonic stenosis, aortic stenosis, atrial septal defect and ventricular defect. A total of 32.5% of the cases had cardiac lesions of different types (7). O'Donnell gathered information on 88 individuals with CRS found that 32% had a heart condition.…”

“…Previous studies focused on the CRS triads: hearing impairments, cataracts and congenital heart disease (7). Later, the distinguishing CRS features expanded to include low birth weight and delayed neonatal growth, thrombocytopenic purpura, transient bone lesions, anemia, hepatitis, microcephaly, psychomotor retardation and other disorders(5, 8, 9).…”