Children's Audiology›SEND & Developmental Differences
SEND & Developmental Differences
Specialist hearing assessment adapted to every child's individual needs
We adapt the assessment to the child
Children with additional needs, developmental differences or complex presentations often find standard hearing tests challenging — or are told that their hearing 'can't be tested' because they didn't cooperate with a conventional approach.
At Hearing Pathways, we believe every child deserves an accurate hearing assessment. We have extensive experience working with children with autism, ADHD, developmental delay, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, sensory sensitivities and other complex presentations. We adapt our techniques, our environment and our pace to suit each individual child.
Our approach
Flexible and unhurried
We allow extra time and take a child-led approach. There is no pressure to complete every element of an assessment in a single visit.
Play-based and familiar
We use familiar objects, preferred activities and motivating reinforcers to engage children who may not respond to standard test stimuli.
Objective testing where needed
Where behavioural testing is not possible, we use objective measures including otoacoustic emissions and tympanometry to gather as much information as possible.
Collaborative with families
Parents and carers know their child best. We work closely with families to understand what works for their child and to plan the assessment accordingly.
We welcome referrals from
Get in touch to discuss your child's needs
We're happy to discuss your child's presentation before booking, to ensure we plan the most appropriate assessment approach.
Contact Hearing PathwaysRelated pages
School-age hearing assessment
Comprehensive hearing and listening assessment for school-age children.
Listening & auditory processing
APD assessment for children who hear but struggle to process what they hear — common alongside SEND.
When to refer a child for assessment
Guidance on identifying when a hearing or listening referral is appropriate.