The Difference Between Speech Delays and Autism
The short answer: a child with a speech delay is behind on words but still reaching out - pointing, babbling, making eye contact, tugging you toward what they want. With autism, the difference tends to show up in that reaching out too, not just in the words. Only a developmental evaluation can tell you for certain, but knowing what to look for helps you decide whether to ask for one.
It's important to learn how to recognize a speech delay in your child's first few years of life, so they can get the appropriate assistance early on to help them catch up in their development. Early identification and treatment during the earliest stages of a child’s development are crucial, as young children’s brains show greater neuroplasticity, making early intervention particularly effective. As children grow, they develop at different rates, and early support can make a significant difference in a child’s development.
Delayed speech in children can occur for different reasons, some more serious than others. Developmental screening is a key step in early childhood assessment and can help identify issues such as speech delays. Missing first words or delays in reaching this milestone can be an early sign of a speech delay or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), highlighting the importance of early assessment and intervention. Many who are familiar with the signs of autism during childhood development are aware that speech delays are common among autistic children. However, there are differences between some speech delays and those that are directly related to autism.
Children with autism develop other developmental delays and signs that are unique to the presence of autism. Knowing how to tell the difference between speech delay and autism can help you determine what type of developmental assistance your child may require, such as early intervention for autism or speech therapy.
What's the Difference Between a Speech Delay and Autism?
The difference between a speech delay and autism is what's happening around the words. A child with a speech delay is still socially connected - pointing, babbling, making eye contact, using gestures to communicate. A child with autism is more likely to show differences in that social communication as well, along with other developmental signs.
All children develop at different rates, especially in terms of communication. While most children start using basic verbal communication within their first 1-2 years of life, some children are what's known as late talkers. Other developmental issues can cause speech delays in children.
One of the clearest differences between other speech delays and autism-related speech delays is how a child communicates when words aren't available yet. Late talkers typically keep reaching out in other ways. For example, they might make babbling sounds, point, and use other types of body language to get what they want. Children with a speech delay often seek out close personal relationships with their parents and peers, whereas a child with autism may prefer to be alone and may have trouble with social interaction.
If your child isn't yet verbally communicating but is actively engaging with people in these other ways, that's a reassuring sign - though it doesn't rule autism out. Many autistic children do point, gesture, and make eye contact, particularly as toddlers. Social communication differences can also be subtle enough that they're easier to see in hindsight than in the moment.
It’s important to note that speech delays can be caused by different types of language disorders, including receptive language delay, where a child has difficulty understanding spoken or written language, as well as expressive language delays. A qualified speech therapist can help identify whether your child is experiencing a speech disorder, a language disorder, or both, and provide targeted therapy to address these issues.
On the other hand, if your child isn't speaking by the age of 2 and isn't using other non-verbal methods to try to communicate and engage with you and others, they could be experiencing an autism-related speech delay. Therapy should be tailored to the individual needs of each child, and the focus of therapy may differ depending on whether the underlying cause is a speech delay, a language disorder, or autism.
Other Causes of Speech Delay in Children
Speech and language delays are far more common than you may think; they affect around 10% of preschool-aged children.
It's important to note that the behaviors mentioned above don't always signify that your child's speech delay is caused by autism. There are other developmental reasons they might not be communicating verbally yet. These include:
- Hearing problems
- Apraxia of speech (speech muscle-control issues)
- Cognitive setbacks
- Learning disabilities
Signs of Speech Delay in Children with Autism
If your child is not speaking by 18-24 months, this can be a reason to suspect a speech delay, and you should look for certain signs to determine whether it may be related to autism. These signs are ones a parent can notice at home. Spotting them doesn't tell you whether your child has autism (that takes an evaluation), but it does tell you it's worth asking for one.
It is important to evaluate both expressive and receptive language delays, as language disorders can present in different ways, affecting either the ability to express thoughts or to understand spoken language.
Keep in mind that verbal communication varies greatly among children with autism. Some children who have autism may start using words earlier than other children, while others remain nonverbal for years or even for life. On average, however, autistic children start forming words around 3 years of age.
If you start to suspect that your child has a speech delay, watch out for the following signs and symptoms of autism speech development problems:
- Doesn't respond/responds slowly to their own name or other verbal communications that should get their attention
- Makes babbling sounds and other “baby sounds” early on in life, then stops
- Does not develop/is slow to develop body language gestures, including pointing at and grabbing things
- Is not imitating speech sounds by 6-12 months old
- Is not developing a simple vocabulary by 12-18 months old
- Does not form simple phrases by 18-24 months old
- Communicates using pictures or sign language instead of sounds
- Speaks only in single words or repeats certain words/phrases (which are unrelated to what's going on around them)
- Repeats words/phrases that they hear around them (can be from others or from television)
- Uses words that don't make sense in the context of what the child is trying to say
- Has difficulty with receptive language, such as not understanding spoken instructions or questions
If you spot any of these warning signs, you should take your child to be evaluated by a professional, who can guide you regarding the next steps and a potential treatment plan. Assessment should include a thorough evaluation of the child’s speech, including both expressive and receptive language abilities, and may involve a speech therapist to help identify specific language disorders and recommend appropriate therapy.
How Early Intervention Can Help with Autism Speech Development
Early intervention for autism helps diagnose autism in children early on and can treat autism-related speech delays to aid your child's development. At ECCM, our support coordinators are trained in understanding the difference between different types of speech delays and those relating to autism.
Families benefit from early intervention services by developing effective strategies during crucial formative years, which can support both the child and the entire family unit.
Whether your child is experiencing autism, speech development issues, or a speech delay caused by something else, our early intervention services can help them overcome challenges in the following domains of early childhood development:
- Physical skills (reaching, crawling, walking, drawing, rolling)
- Cognitive skills (thinking, learning, and problem-solving)
- Communication skills (talking, listening, and comprehension)
- Self-help/adaptive skills (eating and dressing themselves)
- Social/emotional skills (playing and interacting with other people)
The earlier your child is diagnosed with autism or another type of speech delay and assessed to need early intervention, the better. We typically recommend beginning early intervention for autism or other developmental disorders around the age of 3. In the case of a later diagnosis, we recommend starting treatment as soon after the diagnosis as possible.
Get Early Intervention Support Through ECCM
If you suspect your child has a speech delay (whether related to autism or another cause), early intervention can make a real difference. ECCM's early intervention program is available for children up to age 5, and our team is here to help your child build communication, social, and physical skills during the years that matter most.
Contact ECCM today to learn how we can support your child's development!