62 Language Differences in Children with Autism

Language Differences In Children With Autism

By Speech Therapy Teacher

Children with autism may experience differences in their spoken language development compared to typically developing children. Here are some of the ways that spoken language differs in children with autism:

Delayed language acquisition: Many children with autism experience delayed language acquisition, which means that they may start speaking later than their typically developing peers.

Limited vocabulary: Children with autism may have a more limited vocabulary compared to their typically developing peers. They may struggle to learn and use new words, and may rely on a small set of familiar words and phrases.

Difficulty with social communication: Children with autism may have difficulty with social communication, including understanding and using nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language. They may also have difficulty with turn-taking and initiating and maintaining conversations.

Unusual intonation and prosody: Some children with autism may speak in a monotone voice, without the usual inflection and intonation that is used to convey emotion and meaning in spoken language.

Echolalia: Echolalia is a repeating or echoing of words or phrases that are heard. Many children with autism may use echolalia, either immediately after hearing someone else speak, or as a way of self-stimulating.

It's important to note that not all children with autism will experience the same spoken language differences, and some may develop spoken language skills that are similar to typically developing children. Early intervention and therapy can be helpful in supporting children with autism in their spoken language development.