As a parent, have you ever questioned your child’s speech, are they speaking as fluently as their friends? Do you or others have trouble understanding what your child is saying? Do you question if your child has a form of autism? While a speech delay, learning differences, and language delays, may by a hallmark of autism, having any of these does not mean your child has autism.

Speech Delay vs Language Delay vs Autism

What is a speech delay?

Speech delays are common among children. A sign of a speech delay is when they are not meeting age appropriate development milestones. While delays in speech and language are often used interchangeably, there is a difference.

Speech refers to how a child

Verbalizes

Articulate

Manipulate sounds used in words

Poor pronunciation of certain letter sounds can make it difficult to understand them. Speech disorders can be due to a speech motor disorder, such that it affects their ability to coordinate their tongue, jaw, or lips. It could also be developmental, meaning they are learning speech patters slower than their peers.

What is a language delay?

Instead of how a child says things, a language delay or expressive language disorder affects “what” they say. For instance, they may be able to say words and pronounce sounds perfectly, but have issues forming them into coherent phrases to accurately communicate their ideas. How a child processes information is considered receptive language.

A child may struggle with

Comprehending what is being said

Learning new vocabulary

Understanding the meaning of written or verbal communication

Is a speech or language delay a sign of autism?

According to the Autism Parenting Magazine, “While speech delay can be a characteristic associated with autism spectrum disorder, it does not necessarily indicate autism on its own. There are various reasons for speech delays, which can be caused by factors such as hearing impairments, developmental issues, or environmental factors.”

“If you’re worried about your child’s speech or behavior, it’s essential to know that a speech delay doesn’t automatically mean autism. Talking to a healthcare professional or developmental specialist for a thorough evaluation and guidance is recommended.”

Check back with First Words Speech Therapy next week, until then, contact us for more information.