Is Late Talking an Early Sign of Autism?

While delayed speech development is common among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, late talking can also occur in children without ASD. While notable delays in the development of speech and language skills are a cause for concern, they are not specifically a sign of Autism and can be the result of other underlying causes and conditions, such as hearing loss or physical differences, or simply the particular development of that child. 

Children with autism who have delayed speech will typically also display other characteristics of ASD that relate to communication, including avoidance of eye contact, not responding to their name, absence of non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and gestures, fixating on a particular object or topic, and appearing to be disconnected or socially and emotionally passive. 

While it is common for children with ASD to experience delayed speech, this alone does not mean that a child has Autism. Whatever the underlying cause of a speech delay, seeking guidance from an experienced speech and language pathologist is crucial, especially if your child is behind in their overall development. Early intervention through speech therapy offers the best outcome for children with delayed speech. The sooner you identify what is preventing your child from communicating effectively, the sooner they can receive help and improve their skills. 

Don’t wait for your child to fall further behind or to “wait and see” if they spontaneously develop communication skills on their own. We can get your child set up with one of our specialized speech therapists within days of your free introductory call, so schedule yours today! 

What are the Symptoms of a Speech Delay?

While the signs of speech delay can vary from case to case, some of the most commonly seen speech delay symptoms include: 

• By 12 - 15 Months of Age: The child is unable to say simple words (such as “mama” or “dada”) either clearly or unclearly 
• By 18 Months of Age: The child is unable to comprehend the meanings of simple words (such as “no” or “stop”) 
• By 2 Years Old: The child uses less than 50 words 
• By 3 Years Old: The child cannot produce short sentences (such as “I am hungry” or “Where did you go?”), ask for things by name and cannot be understood by those close to them
• By 4 - 5 Years Old: The child cannot share a simple story, nursery rhyme, or sing a song,  

In addition to the speech delay signs mentioned above, any loss of skills or words that had previously been mastered is also a cause for concern. If your child doesn’t appear to be gaining new skills and expanding their vocabulary, this can also be a sign of delayed speech or another communication-related impairment, and consulting with a speech therapist is highly recommended.

What Causes a Speech Delay?

While the cause of a speech delay is not always easily identified, some factors have been shown to contribute to the delayed development of speech abilities, including: 

• Hearing Loss or Impairment 
• Autism Spectrum Disorder 
• Cerebral Palsy
• Psychosocial Deprivation or Lack of Stimulation 
• Being a Twin 
• Physical Differences (such as tongue tie, cleft lip or palate, etc.)

There is also some evidence that living in a bilingual home can affect speech development in children, as the brain is forced to work hard to interpret and process both languages. This can result in delayed speech and language, or the child may use one language more frequently as they learn. 

If your child is affected by any of the above conditions or is simply struggling to develop their speech and language skills, we recommend seeking the support of a qualified professional speech therapist. Connect with us by scheduling your free introductory call today! 

What is the Difference Between a Late Talker and a Person with Autism?

While speech delay and Autism Spectrum Disorder can both negatively impact communication, they are separate conditions that require distinct methods of treatment. A speech delay means that the development of speech skills is delayed, and certain communication milestones are not being reached at the projected age. While delayed speech development can be a symptom of ASD, every child with Autism will be affected differently, and no two cases are identical. 

Children with a speech delay will:

• Pursue personal relationships with their family members, classmates and peers, and other people in their lives
• Positively respond to attention 
• Mimic the behaviors of others 
• Use eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures when interacting with others. 

It is common for children with ASD to:

• Often have trouble with social interactions
• Struggle to play with and connect with other children
• Frequently prefer to be alone 
• Often repeat words or phrases 
• Have challenges relating to motor skills 
• Exhibit repetitive body movements, such as rocking, spinning, or flapping 

Can a Child with Speech Delays Catch Up? At What Age Do Late Talkers Talk?

It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of late talkers (who don’t have other underlying conditions) catch up with their peers by the time they reach school age. Speech therapy is recommended for any child who is behind in their speech development or is struggling to communicate effectively. 

Working with an experienced speech and language pathologist can help promote skill development in multiple ways, often focusing on speech sound production, speech fluency, and language development. A speech therapist can help your child overcome communication hurdles and develop the necessary skills for effective communication.

About Speech Therapy For Speech Delay 

Speech therapy offers tailored treatment programs for children with delayed speech, using targeted techniques and proven methods to promote the development of speech skills. Each child begins their speech therapy journey with an evaluation by the speech therapist. The goal of this evaluation is to determine the severity of the speech delay, identify whether there are other underlying contributing factors, and become familiar with the specific challenges and strengths of the child. From there, the speech therapist will develop a customized treatment plan that will target the child's specific deficits and help them overcome their speech challenges and reach their goals. 

If your child might benefit from speech therapy to help them achieve academic success and reach their full potential, get started with one of our incredible speech therapists by scheduling your free introductory call today!