How is language development affected in children with autism?

A Quick Guide

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition affecting social interaction and communication. Children with autism may experience difficulties in language development, and nonverbal communication, and exhibit repetitive language patterns, making social interaction challenging. This article will include what Autism is, and how it affects communication.

Understanding Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is an umbrella term that is used to define some neurological conditions that affect a person’s social life and can lead to communication problems, repetitive behavior as well as limited interests. The term spectrum refers to the level of impairment a person may face when affected by such symptoms. 

Autism can be diagnosed early in life when a child fails to achieve developmental milestones such as social communication and interaction. Most children start to show symptoms around 12 or 18 months of age. Research suggests that boys are 3 to 5 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

How does autism affect communication?

So children with Autism have difficulty in social interaction and communication. It has been observed that they have issues in developing their language skills and comprehending what others speak around them. 

Another common thing they face is the fact that they are unable to communicate non-verbally, for instance, they have trouble with social cues, body language, hand gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. 

A child’s ability to interact with others and acquire adequate language skills depends on their social and intellectual development. 

Some children with autism simply have no speaking skills whereas some may have good vocabulary and are able to talk specifically about a certain topic. Though many encounter problems with the meaning and rhythm of words. 

Learn more about Effective Communication Strategies For People On The Autism Spectrum.

All of these issues add up to these children facing extreme difficulty when communicating with others especially those of their own age. 

Learn more about the Types Of Behavioral Therapy For Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Common Language Patterns in Children with Autism

Some common language patterns that children with autism exhibit are as follows: 

Repetitive or Rigid Language

Often times children with autism may do the following: 

• May continuously repeat words or phrases they have heard which is called Echolalia
• May use stock phrases to start a conversation
• Repeat what they hear in the television commercials
• Say things that do not have any meaning or are simply irrelevant to the conversation at hand. 
• Speak in a high-pitched tone or have a robot-like speech

Narrow interests

At times children with Autism may be able to deliver a long speech about a specific thing they may be interested in but they would be unable to carry out a two-way conversation on the same topic. 

Uneven language development

Some children do acquire language skills but their progress is uneven and not to the normal level of ability. For instance, they have a good vocabulary for their specific interests. Some children can even recall exceptionally well the things that they have just heard or seen. 

Other times, these children often have trouble responding to others’ speech and may not even respond to their names being called. Hence, at times they may be mistakenly thought of as being deaf. 

Poor Nonverbal communication 

These children often cannot communicate by using gestures. For instance, they may not be able to point to a certain thing. They may also have trouble initiating or maintaining eye contact

Since they are unable to express themselves the way they want, through verbal and nonverbal communication. They may often get frustrated which can lead to tantrums and inappropriate behavior.

We hope you found this article useful in understanding more about how language development is affected in children with autism. Learn more about Common Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders In Autism.

Learn more about Effective Teaching Strategies For Students With ASD.