Is My Child's Speech Delay a Sign of Autism?
Watching your child learn to speak is exciting! You celebrate their first coos, babbles, and words. But you may worry if their speech seems off. Could problems talking be linked to autism?
At Children's Developmental Services, we want to explain normal speech growth. We also want to point out when you should check for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Not all speech issues mean a child has ASD. But early help can make a big difference. That’s why we offer free developmental screenings to monitor growth and development.
Young Kids Learn to Talk at Their Own Pace
No two kids are alike in how they learn to talk. Some kids start using words early, around 12 months. Others don't combine words until after age 2.
Don't panic if your child is different. Many kids have trouble with some sounds, stutter, or make up words. Even kids without ASD can have delays in talking.
It's normal if your child loses some speech for a while. More tantrums from trouble talking are also typical. With time and practice, most kids outgrow minor problems.
Signs to Look Into
But some speech and language issues could mean a developmental problem like ASD. Ages 2-3 is when signs often show up. Look for:
No babbling by 12 months
At 2 years old, can't say any words
Little interest in talking
Losing words they had learned
Odd or repetitive speech
Strange tone, pitch, or rhythm
Repeating words exactly (echolalia)
Mixing up I/you
If your child has several of these signs, check with a professional. Many behaviors overlap. Evaluation is needed to pinpoint their needs.
Act Early, Seek Assessment
Here at Children’s Developmental Services, we do screenings and interventions for speech, development, and learning issues. Learn some of the benefits of our program here. Our goal is helping each child communicate their best.
If your toddler or preschooler struggles talking, ask for help early. We can check for speech delays and plan next steps. We may suggest speech therapy, occupational therapy, or other tools to improve communication skills.
The sooner a delay is found, the better it can be improved. Our therapies build language through play and interaction. We work with you to track progress. We celebrate each success in your child's journey.