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Is Delayed Speech a Sign of Autism?

• How Speech Delays Differ
• Speech Delay Traits
• Red Flags by Age
• Related Traits

Speech delays are very common among children with autism , but they are also common in children without autism. While significant speech delays are always a cause for concern, they are not inherently an autism trait and may be due to other issues, such as hearing loss.

Speech delays in children with autism characteristically occur with other communication issues such as a lack of eye contact, social and emotional passivity, not gesturing or pointing to objects, or a fixation on objects.

This article will cover the reasons for speech delays and help you recognize when they are related to autism.

Verywell / Hugo Lin

How Speech Delays Differ in Autism

As most babies develop, they quickly learn that communication is the key to getting what they want. Long before they learn spoken language, they will make eye contact, pull on sleeves, babble, point, and physically or facially interact to get their point across.

Over time, neurotypical children (children without autism) learn to use spoken language because they get positive results from doing so. In addition, most neurotypical children:

• Are highly motivated by social responses such as smiles and hugs
• Are naturally inclined to imitate the actions of people around them
• Are likely to spend much more time observing people than observing things
• Tend to be social beings who become quickly bored or lonely when left alone

On the other hand, children with autism may have communication problems that make social connections difficult.

While high-functioning children who require lower levels of support may be more socially inclined than those with higher support needs, the same issues and challenges hold true across the autism spectrum .

For example, a child with autism may:

• Be more motivated by their own interests than by social responses
• Rarely or never imitate others' actions
• Be more interested in objects than in people
• Be content when left alone to pursue their own interests
• Be content with doing the same thing repetitively

All of these characteristics can lead to significant social challenges. This includes difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues like body language, having little interest in engaging with other kids or caregivers, or having heightened anxiety when faced with changes in routines.

Speech Delay Traits With Autism

The difference between speech delays in children with autism and those without is fairly easy to spot. Take the example of "Johnny" and "Bobby," two fictional children who exhibit significant speech delays:

• Johnny isn't talking at all at age 2. But while he isn't saying words yet, he's making babbling sounds and using body language to communicate with the people around him. He's pointing, pulling people toward things he wants, and engaging with other people. He actively enjoys playing with his parents and siblings. And he's frustrated when left alone to take a nap.
• Bobby is the same age as Johnny. Bobby does have a few words, but he doesn't use them to communicate. Instead, he repeats them over and over to himself. Bobby has not yet figured out how to use gestures, sounds, or words to ask for something he wants. His parents find it almost impossible to hold his attention for more than a few seconds.

Johnny may have a speech delay that requires other forms of intervention. Possibilities causes include:

• Hearing loss
• Apraxia of speech (a problem with the control of muscles used in speech)
• Cognitive impairment (problems with thinking, reasoning, memory, learning, and language skills)

Although Bobby is able to use a few words, he may be showing an early autism trait.

Red Flags Autism by Age

Speech development in children with autism can vary considerably. Some start using words earlier than neurotypical children, while others are nonverbal well into adulthood.

However, studies suggest that children with autism typically start producing words at 36 months, whereas a neurotypical child starts at around 12 to 18 months.

There are other red flags that point to the possibility of autism. These involve the absence of communication or social skills one would expect at certain ages, from 6 months to 2 years.

From 6 to 12 months of age, traits of autism include:

• Having little or no eye contact
• Failure to smile back when you smile at them
• Seeming emotionally passive
• Fixating on objects

By 12 months:

• Failure to respond to their name
• Lack of babbling
• Lack of gesturing or imitation

By 16 months:

• Having no single words
• Doesn't point to objects or show you objects
• No interest in sharing what they experience

By 24 months:

• Absence of spontaneous two-word phrases
• Lack of any language

Other Speech-Related Autism Traits

In addition to delayed speech, there are a number of other communication-related issues that could be autism traits.

In general, children with autism:

• Speak only in single words or repeat certain phrases over and over, seeming unable to combine words into meaningful sentences
• Repeat words or phrases that they hear (a condition called echolalia )
• Use words that seem odd, out of place, or have a special meaning known only to those familiar with the child's way of communicating

What if a Child Never Speaks?

Around 25% of children do not develop the ability to speak. However, these children may be able to learn to communicate in one of several ways

• Sign language
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), which uses symbols and pictures to teach communication
• Augmentative communication (AAC), which may use a speech-generating device or apps on a tablet or cellphone to communicate

Children with autism often have speech delays, but that alone does not mean your child has autism. Speech delays with autism usually occur along with other communication issues, such as not using gestures, not responding to their name, and not showing interest in connecting with people.

Other possible causes of speech delays include hearing loss and cognitive problems.

Mody M, Belliveau JW. Speech and language impairments in autism: insights from behavior and neuroimaging .  N Am J Med Sci (Boston) . 2013;5(3):157‐161. doi:10.7156/v5i3p157

Zengin-Akkuş P, Çelen-Yoldaş T, Kurtipek G, Özmert EN. Speech delay in toddlers: are they only `late talkers`?   Turk J Pediatr . 2018;60(2):165‐172. doi:10.24953/turkjped.2018.02.008

LaGasse AB. Social outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder: a review of music therapy outcomes . Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2017;8:23–32. doi:10.2147/PROM.S106267

Mayo J, Chlebowski C, Fein DA, Eigsti I-M. Age of first words predicts cognitive ability and adaptive skills in children with ASD . J Autism Dev Disord . 2013;43(2):253-264. doi:10.1007%2Fs10803-012-1558-0

Austism Spectrum Disorder Foundation. About autism .

National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Autism spectrum disorder: Communication problems in children .

National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Speech and language developmental milestones .

National Institute of Mental Health. Autism spectrum disorder .

By Lisa Jo Rudy Rudy is a writer, consultant, author, and advocate who specializes in autism. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and Autism Parenting Magazine.

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Home » Nonverbal Autism and Communication Skills » Speech Delay vs Autism: What’s the Difference?

Speech Delay vs Autism: What’s the Difference?

By   Leanne Sherred, MS, CCC-SLP

July 4, 2024

You may have noticed that your child isn’t speaking as fluently as other kids their age. Maybe they haven’t even said their first words yet. Your mind keeps thinking of two things: speech delay vs autism. Are they the same thing? Is speech delay one of the earliest signs?

Well, not necessarily. While speech delays, language delays , and learning differences are often a hallmark of ASD, a speech delay alone does not mean a child has autism. So, what are the main differences between speech delay and autism? Let’s start with the basics.

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What is a Speech Delay?

Speech and language delays are common among young children. A child may have a speech or language delay if they are not meeting appropriate developmental milestones typical for their age.

While speech and language delays are often confused and used interchangeably, there are distinguishing characteristics.

Speech refers to how children:

• articulate, and
• manipulate the sounds used in words.

For example, poor pronunciation of hard-to-say sounds like /s/ and /z/ can make it difficult for them to be understood.

Speech delays can be developmental, meaning your child is following typical speech patterns but at a slower rate than their peers. They can also be due to a speech motor disorder that affects their ability to coordinate their lips, jaw, and tongue.

What is a Language Delay? 

A language delay doesn’t necessarily affect “how” children say things but “what” they say. This is referred to as an expressive language disorder.

These children may be able to pronounce sounds and words perfectly but have trouble forming them into coherent phrases to communicate their ideas. Additionally, a receptive language delay can affect how children process information.

They often struggle with:

• comprehending what people are trying to say, 
• learning new vocabulary, and
• deriving meaning from verbal and written communication.

Is Speech Delay a Sign of Autism?

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.

Speech Delay vs. Autism: Is There a Difference?

Typical childhood development follows similar stages before a child’s first words are spoken. Children start experimenting with their voices in their toddler years by babbling and cooing.

They use nonverbal language to communicate their needs and establish strong social connections, such as making eye contact, pointing, and gesturing. Over time, they learn sounds and use them to form their first words.

Eventually, as they associate communication with positive results (i.e., getting what they want), they start to string words together in phrases and acquire more complex linguistic abilities.

A speech or language-delayed child typically follows the same developmental patterns as their peers but is slower to reach these milestones. However, social responses, like hugs and smiles, still strongly motivate them.

They desire to build strong social bonds with their parents and peers, respond positively to attention, and are inclined to mimic the actions of people around them.

In addition to speech and language delays, children with autism may experience additional challenges related to their communication , socialization, and behavior. These can disrupt their ability to build meaningful social connections and relationships with people. 

Here are some key differences between speech delay and autism spectrum disorder:

Autism and Other Communication Issues

How can you tell the difference between autism vs. late talker? Well, some communication-related challenges may be signs of autism , including:

•     Being non-responsive to their name
•     Trouble getting your child’s attention
•     Slower development of gestures to communicate their needs
•     Babbling in their first year and then stopping
•     Repetitive usage of a single word or phrase
•     Using a robotic-sounding speaking voice

If you notice your child struggling with any of these symptoms, it’s best to talk to a professional for a proper diagnosis.

Autism and Social Challenges

Some children with autism have difficulty relating to – and associating with – other people. Signs can include:

•     A general lack of social awareness
•     Being unresponsive to social cues, like waving “hi”
•     Inability to focus on the same object with someone else (called joint attention)
•     Difficulty with social skills , such as sharing, taking turns, and maintaining friendships
•     Avoiding eye contact
•     Limited or restricted interests in particular toys or activities
•     Decreased interest in engaging in play routines with others

Autism and Behavioral Challenges

A child’s inability to adequately express themselves can lead to a wide range of possible behavioral issues, including:

•      Repetitive behaviors or hand and body movements, like rocking his/her head back and forth or lining up their toys
•     Aversion to being touched or held
•     Getting easily upset for unknown reasons
•     Strong attachment to certain objects, like toys or a television show
•     Having trouble staying still
•     Being easily upset or distressed when there is a sudden change to their daily routine

When Should You Seek Professional Evaluation?

For children who aren’t developing critical speech skills or lagging behind their peers, it’s important to seek a professional evaluation from a doctor or speech-language pathologist. This is crucial, no matter if the child is dealing with speech delay or autism symptoms.

A developmental screening and evaluation can help you determine whether your child is speech-delayed, has ASD, or both. Understanding your child’s conditions and risk factors can bring you peace of mind and help you make the most informed treatment decision.

Until recently, ASD was rarely diagnosed before 3-4 years old. However, current research supports lowering the age of identification, mostly due to the effectiveness of early intervention.

Around the age of 18 months to two years, speech and language delays become most noticeable. While parents may be able to spot many important signs at home, this is generally the most ideal time to have your child professionally evaluated.

There are several tools and methods your doctor or speech-language pathologist will use to determine if a child’s speech delay is caused by autism or is unrelated.

These often include:

• testing and examining their social skills (i.e., eye contact, emotional cues, name recognition)
• physical responses (i.e., ability to point, using objects to play), 
• language comprehension (i.e., identifying objects and understanding basic directions).

Improving Autistic Children’s Communication with Speech Delay Treatment

It’s important to remember that no two children are the same. Communication issues, just like autism symptoms, can vary dramatically from person to person.

Speech-language pathologists and other care providers, such as teachers, counselors, and psychologists, play a key role in a child’s treatment plan. Speech therapists are experts at diagnosing and treating communication-related challenges that present with autism.

They help develop an individualized treatment plan specialized to each autistic child’s specific needs that can improve their verbal and nonverbal communication. They help individuals express themselves, improve their personal and social relationships, and better function in day-to-day activities.

Even if your autistic child is nonverbal or was diagnosed later in life, it’s important not to lose hope. This doesn’t mean they won’t be able to become a literate and articulate adult.

Studies have shown that autistic children aged four and five with severe language delays went from being nonverbal to acquiring language skills with proper treatment. Your child is destined for great things – they may need more help getting there.

With that said, here are some communication skills that can be improved with intervention from a speech therapist . They work closely with autistic children, their families/caregivers, and other providers to help improve many aspects of their communication, as listed below.

Verbal Communication

Speech therapists can help autistic children better articulate and verbalize sounds and words. This can give children the strategies and mechanisms to express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. 

Social Pragmatics

Social pragmatic skills involve how and when children use communication in social settings. 

For example, while a child with autism may know how to say “hello,” they may not understand that this word is used as a greeting. Speech therapists can help children learn the appropriate social context to use certain words and phrases. 

Body Language

Facial expressions, hand movements, and gestures are some of the most expressive parts of language. Unfortunately, some children with autism may have trouble interpreting their meaning.

A speech therapist can help match emotions with proper facial expressions and recognize subtle signals indicating whether a person is happy, sad, or angry.

Prosody is the volume and intonation of our voices in conversation. When we talk, the sound of our voice naturally goes up and down.

Some children with autism have flat prosody , which can make their voices sound robotic and emotionless. A speech therapist can help children modulate the tone and volume of their voice when they speak.

Some kids with autism may frequently make grammar mistakes or refer to themselves in the third person. A speech therapist can help address these common issues and promote correct word tenses.

Social Skills

A lack of social cues and awareness can be one of the most obvious telltale signs of autism in young children. Speech therapists can help children recognize and build social communication skills.

Conversational Skills

While many children with autism can make simple and short statements, they may struggle to carry a conversation. This includes:

• responding to their conversational partner,
• not interrupting,
• initiating dialogue, and
• engaging in the natural back-and-forth of discourse.

Speech therapists can help children with their conversation skills so they can implement these practices in everyday situations.

Is It Speech Delay or Autism?

Although speech delay can go hand-in-hand with autism spectrum disorder, it is not always the case. There are crucial differences between speech delay vs. autism that can give you a better understanding of these two conditions.

A speech delay alone does not mean a child has autism, and by working with experts and doing the right research, you can ensure your child gets the best support.

Q: Is speech delay always a sign of autism?

A: No, speech delay can occur independently of autism. However, it can be an early indicator in some cases.

Q: What are common reasons for speech delays in a 3-year-old not diagnosed with autism?

A: Speech delays can be caused by various factors such as hearing problems, language disorders, or environmental influences. It’s crucial to explore these possibilities with the guidance of a pediatrician or speech therapist.

Q: Can speech therapy help children with autism?

A: Yes, speech therapy is beneficial for children with autism. It can address communication challenges and improve their ability to express themselves.

Q: Does early intervention work for speech delay?

A: Early intervention can significantly improve speech and language development, improving a child’s overall well-being and quality of life.

Q: What are the behavioral challenges of autism?

A: Autism often presents various behavioral challenges, with common ones including repetitive movements, aversion to touch, sensitivity to unknown triggers, strong attachments to specific objects, difficulty staying still, and heightened distress in response to sudden changes in routine.

References:

Autism: Impairments in Social Interaction https://www.kennedykrieger.org/stories/interactive-autism-network-ian/impairments_in_social_interaction  

Differentiating ASD from DLD in Toddlers https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2940236/  

Speech and language delay in children https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21568252/

Speech and Language Developmental Milestones https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/speech-and-language  

Understanding Challenging Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Multi-Component, Interdisciplinary Model https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9324526/  

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A Guide to Speech Delay and Autism: Types, Red Flags, Impact and the Power of Early Intervention

John, a bright eight-year-old with autism, possesses a vast knowledge of dinosaurs. He can recite their scientific names, describe their habitats, and even mimic their roars with impressive accuracy. However, when it comes to expressing his own needs and wants, John often resorts to frustration and repetitive phrases. While he understands spoken language, forming his own sentences can be a daunting task. John’s speech delay, a common symptom of autism, manifests in limited vocabulary, difficulty with sentence structure, and occasional echolalia.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the different types of speech delay in autism, explore its hidden complexities you may not know, and highlight the crucial role of early intervention in unlocking the true communication potential of autistic children with speech delays.

Table of Contents

• What is speech delay in autism and what are its types?

Speech delay in autism vs language delay in autism: Are they the same?

• Developmental milestones for speech delay

When does a speech delay signal autism?

Negative impact of speech and language delay in autism.

• Impact of early intervention on speech development
• Did You Know About Folate Receptor Autoantibodies (FRAAs) and Brain Development?

What is speech delay in autism?

Speech delay in autism involves difficulties with communication skills, particularly spoken language, compared to developmental expectations for a child’s age. Speech delay in autism is a common, but not universal, characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and can manifest in various ways, including:

• Delayed onset of speech: Some children with ASD may not start speaking until later than the typical age range (12-18 months).
• Limited vocabulary: They may have fewer words than their peers and may struggle to learn new ones.
• Difficulties with sentence structure: They may form grammatically incorrect sentences or use single words rather than full sentences to communicate.
• Articulation problems: They may have trouble pronouncing certain sounds or words clearly.
• Echolalia: They may repeat back words or phrases they hear without truly understanding their meaning. Unveiling the mysteries of echolalia in autism can be key to understanding and supporting children with speech delays. Discover more in our blog, Echolalia in Autism: Causes, Types, Reasons, Treatment and Support .
• Nonverbal communication challenges: They may have difficulty with gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact, further hindering communication.

It’s important to note that not all children with speech delays have autism, and not all children with autism have speech delays. The presence of other autistic symptoms, like difficulties with social interaction and repetitive behaviors, is crucial for diagnosis.

Speech delay in #autism isn’t just late talking. It’s trouble forming words & sentences, & can impact understanding. Learn more about types, causes, & support: https://bit.ly/4b119jH

#SpeechDelay #AutismAwareness #UnderstandingAutism #FRAT

While both speech and language delays are common in autism, they’re not the same thing. Here’s how to decipher the nuances:

Speech delay: Think of it as the mechanics of talking. It includes forming sounds, pronouncing words, and putting them together fluently. A child with a speech delay might understand you perfectly, but they might struggle to express themselves clearly.

Language delay: This goes beyond words. It’s the entire system of understanding and using communication to convey meaning. Imagine a child who speaks clearly but can’t form sentences, tell stories, or understand simple instructions. They likely have a language delay.

The overlap: Remember, these are not watertight categories. Some children might struggle with both, while others excel in one area but lag in another. A child might mix clear words with jumbled phrases, highlighting a mix of strengths and challenges.

Importance of knowing the difference: Recognizing the specific type of delay can guide you toward appropriate support. Speech therapy focuses on the physical aspects of speech production, while language therapy helps develop expressive and receptive language skills.

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Language & Communication Developmental Milestones for Neurotypical Children

Before we delve into the world of “typical” language development, let’s remember that every child progresses at their own pace, and variations are perfectly normal. This section serves as a guidepost, not a rigid schedule, to help you understand the general trajectory of language & communication acquisition in neurotypical children.

By 2 months of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 2 months

Makes sound other than crying

Reacts to loud sounds

By 4 months of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 4 months

Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)

Makes sounds back when you talk to him

Turns head towards the sound of your voice

By 6 months of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 6 months

Takes turns making sounds with you

Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)

Makes squealing noises

By 9 months of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 9 months

Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “dadadada”

Lifts arms up to be picked up

By 1 year of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 1 year

Waves “bye-bye”

Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name

Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

By 15 months of age

Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 15 months

Looks at a familiar object when you name it

Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.”

Points to ask for something or to get help

By 18 months of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 18 month

Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 18 months

Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”

By 2 years of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 2 years

Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”

Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”

Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you

Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes

By 30 months of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 30 months

Says about 50 words

Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run”

Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”

Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we”

By 3 years of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 3 years

Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges

Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”

Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing”

Says first name, when asked

Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time

By 4 years of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 4 years

Says sentences with four or more words

Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme

Talks about at least one thing that happened during her day, like “I played soccer.”

Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”

By 5 years of age

Video credit: CDC, Important Milestones: Your baby by 5 years

Tells a story she heard or made up with at least two events. For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it

Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him

Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges

Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)

Speech delays are common in many children, and while they can be a symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) , they’re not always definitive signs. Every child develops at their own pace, and individual differences exist within the spectrum of autism. But when should alarm bells start ringing? Here are some red flags to consider:

• Delayed onset of speech: Not saying first words by 12-18 months or saying fewer words than expected for their age.
• Limited vocabulary and slow vocabulary growth: Not acquiring new words at a typical pace or having a significantly smaller vocabulary than peers.
• Difficulties with sentence structure: Struggling to form grammatically correct sentences, using mostly single words, or having awkward phrasing.
• Articulation problems: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds clearly or having a noticeably different speech pattern.
• Echolalia: Repeating back phrases or words without understanding their meaning or using them in inappropriate contexts.
• Nonverbal communication challenges: Lack of eye contact, limited gestures, and difficulty understanding nonverbal cues.
• Social communication difficulties: Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversations, showing limited interest in social interaction, or displaying unusual play patterns.

Unnerving silence where first words should be. Awkward phrases instead of flowing conversations. These are just a few red flags that might raise concerns about speech delays in children. But before leaping to conclusions, let’s delve deeper. In our blog, Decoding Autism: Essential Tests and Key Indicators You Can’t Afford to Ignore , we explore crucial tests and indicators of Autism you need to know. Read it to dive in with us and empower yourself to navigate this complex journey with clarity and confidence.

Speech and language delay can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life in various ways:

Communication Challenges:

• Difficulty expressing needs, wants, and emotions, leading to frustration, misunderstandings, and social isolation.
• Limited ability to participate in conversations and build relationships, affecting social development and friendships.
• Potential for misinterpretations and behavioral outbursts due to inability to effectively communicate their intentions.

Learning and Education:

• Difficulty following instructions, understanding concepts, and participating in classroom activities.
• Lower academic performance and potential delays in educational progress.
• Increased reliance on alternative means of communication, which may not be readily available or accepted in all settings.

Mental Health and Wellbeing:

• Increased risk of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem due to communication difficulties and social isolation.
• Frustration and difficulty regulating emotions, potentially leading to behavioral challenges.
• Feeling misunderstood and isolated, negatively impacting social-emotional development and overall well-being.

Social Participation and Inclusion:

• Difficulty initiating and maintaining friendships and participating in social activities.
• Feeling excluded from social interactions and peer groups, leading to loneliness and isolation.
• Missed opportunities for social learning and development, impacting interpersonal skills and overall social competence.

Quality of Life for Families:

• Increased stress and burden on families due to communication challenges and behavioral difficulties.
• Challenges in navigating social situations and accessing appropriate support services.
• Emotional strain and worry about the child’s development and future.

Impact of early intervention on speech development:

Early intervention for speech delay in autism is crucial to mitigate these negative impacts and improve quality of life. Through comprehensive and individualized therapy, children can develop:

• Effective communication skills
• Stronger social and emotional skills
• Improved academic performance
• Better self-esteem and confidence
• Greater independence and participation in their communities

Early intervention with proven methods is crucial, enhancing the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families. We recommend reading our blog Early Intervention in Autism (ASD) – A Life-Changing Opportunity which explores the why and how of early intervention.

Decoding the complexities of speech delay in autism isn’t just about understanding the challenges; it’s about unlocking the potential that lies within. Early intervention is the key, a powerful tool to bridge the communication gap and empower autistic children to express themselves, connect with the world, and thrive. Let this blog be the starting point for your journey, a guide to navigate the path towards early support and unleash the true voice of your child. Remember, every word, every sentence, every connection built is a victory worth celebrating. Take action, embrace the resources available, and rewrite the narrative of speech delay into one of hope, progress, and endless possibilities.

Did You Know? Folate Receptor Autoantibodies (FRAAs) may impede proper folate transport.

Folate (vitamin B9) is very important for your child’s brain development!

During pregnancy, it helps prevent neural tube defects and plays a big role in forming a normal and healthy baby’s brain and spinal cord. Folate also helps cells divide and assists in both DNA and RNA synthesis.

Emerging research suggests that the presence of FRAAs negatively impacts folate transport into the brain.

• Recent studies reveal that a large subgroup of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have FRAAs.
• This suggests that a possible disruption in folate transport across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier may potentially influence ASD-linked brain development.
• Screening for the FRAAs in your child should be part of your early intervention strategies.

Is there a test for identifying Folate Receptor Autoantibodies (FRAAs)?

Yes, there is a test – The Folate Receptor Antibody Test (FRAT ® ) has emerged as a diagnostic tool for detecting the presence of FRAAs.

It is important to screen at an early age or as soon as possible as there may be corrective measures available. Please consult your physician for further information.

To order a test kit, click on the button below.

For information on autism monitoring, screening and testing please read our blog .

• CDC’s Developmental Milestones

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• Understanding Autism Speech Delays: Causes, Signs and Therapies

Table of Contents

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by a range of symptoms and disabilities that manifest differently in each individual. It is termed a “spectrum” disorder because of this wide variation in challenges and strengths. Individuals with autism may have difficulties with social interaction, exhibit repetitive behaviors , and face challenges in verbal and nonverbal communication.

Though the exact cause of ASD is still not fully understood, it involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and symptoms typically appear in early childhood. The condition is lifelong, and while there is no cure for autism, early intervention and targeted therapies can significantly improve communication and social skills, leading to better outcomes for people with ASD.

One of the most common symptoms of autism is difficulty with spoken language and communication, often referred to as autism speech delay. This article aims to shed light on this aspect of autism, its causes, signs, and the therapies that can help.

What is Autism Speech Delay?

Autism speech delay refers to when a child with autism spectrum disorder doesn’t meet the typical developmental milestones for speech and language. This is delayed speech which might mean the child doesn’t start speaking at the same age most children do, or they may not develop more complex language skills at the expected rate.

Causes of Autism Speech Delay

Autism isn’t caused by one single factor, but rather a combination of genetic and environmental influences. The same goes for autism speech delay. It’s not fully understood why children with autism often have difficulties with speech and language. However, research suggests it may be due to differences in brain development and function.

It’s important to note that every child with autism is unique, and so are their communication skills . Some children with autism might have a significant speech delay, while others might have very advanced vocabulary but struggle with social aspects of communication, like maintaining a conversation or understanding non-verbal cues.

Nonverbal Autism vs Autism Speech Delay

Nonverbal autism and autism speech delay represent different facets on the communication spectrum of Autism Spectrum Disorder. A child with nonverbal autism might have difficulty engaging in verbal communication; they often rely on gestures, facial expressions, or alternative means of communication, such as picture boards or sign language.

Autism speech delay, on the other hand, indicates that a child follows the typical pattern of speech development but at a slower pace. The child may eventually acquire a level of spoken language that aligns more closely with peers, albeit later than expected. Understanding the nuances between these communication challenges and language delays is crucial for tailoring effective therapeutic interventions.

Signs of Autism Speech Delay

Speech delays in children with autism can present in various ways, including:

• Delayed onset of babbling : Babbling usually starts around 7 months of age. If a child hasn’t started babbling by 12 months, it could be a sign of a speech delay.
• Limited vocabulary : By the age of 2, most children can say 50 words or more and start combining words into simple sentences. Children with autism might not reach these milestones.
• Echolalia : This is when a child repeats words or phrases they hear, often without understanding their meaning. It’s common in children with autism.
• Difficulty with conversation : Children with autism might struggle to maintain a back-and-forth conversation, even if they have a good vocabulary.

Therapies for Autism Speech Delay

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the therapy services treating speech delays in autism, but there are several therapies that can help:

• Speech-Language Therapy : This therapy focuses on improving a child’s speech and abilities to understand and express language.
• Occupational Therapy : This therapy helps children improve their physical, cognitive, and motor skills, which can enhance their ability to communicate.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) : ABA is a type of therapy that can help improve various behaviors, including communication skills, in children with autism.
• Social Skills Training : This kind of training can help children with autism improve their conversational skills and understanding of social cues.

Remember, it’s essential to seek professional advice if you suspect your child may have a speech or language delay. Early intervention can make a significant difference in the progress a child makes in developing their speech and language skills.

Speech Therapy for autism

Speech therapy is an essential component in the treatment of autism speech delay. It focuses on improving a child’s overall communication skills, including verbal and nonverbal abilities. Speech therapists work with children to develop language comprehension, spoken and language development, and social communication skills.

Some specific techniques used in speech therapy for autism include:

• Visual aids : Children with autism often respond well to visual aids, such as pictures or symbols, to help them understand and express language.
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) : This can include using devices or systems to supplement speech in children who struggle with verbal communication.
• Social stories : These are short stories that use simple language and visuals to teach children appropriate social skills and behaviors.

Speech therapy for autism is tailored to the individual needs of each child, and progress can vary. Some children may see significant improvements in their speech and language skills, while others may continue to struggle. Consistent therapy sessions and support from caregivers are essential for continued progress.

Autism Speech Delay and Social Interactions

Autism speech delay can greatly impact a child’s social interactions and relationships. Social communication involves a complex mix of verbal cues, such as tone of voice and word choice, and non-verbal cues, like body language and facial expressions. Children with autism may find it challenging to interpret these signals and respond appropriately. Often, the nuances of everyday social exchange, like sarcasm or humor, can be lost on them.

In addition, initiating and maintaining a conversation may be difficult, causing them to appear disinterested or aloof in social situations. This can lead to feelings of isolation and difficulty forming friendships, which is why incorporating social skills training into therapeutic strategies is so critical. These trainings aim to enhance the child’s ability to communicate effectively interact with others and navigate the subtle complexities of social communication.

In conclusion, while autism speech delay can be challenging for both the child and their family, it’s important to remember that every child is unique. With the right support and therapies, children with autism can make great strides in their communication skills.

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Speech Delay vs Autism: Understanding the Key Distinctions

When a child isn’t talking, concerns can arise about the potential correlation between a speech delay and autism. 

Delayed language skills are characteristic of children with autism. However, a speech delay does not always indicate the presence of Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

The two hallmark characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are: 

• Social communication deficits
• Restrictive repetitive behaviors (RRBs) 

In contrast, a child with a speech delay can show challenges with communication without demonstrating those characteristics. 

Differentiating a speech delay vs autism is an important step in helping a child improve their communication skills. Here we’ll delve into the distinctions between the two disorders to help parents and caregivers navigate concerns by understanding whether their child has solely a speech delay or autism.

The Difference between Speech and Language Delays

A speech delay involves difficulties producing speech sounds, while a language delay includes challenges in understanding and using words and sentences to communicate. 

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, it is important to differentiate between a speech delay and a language delay. Knowing which one applies to a child can help caregivers understand the types of communication difficulties the child has and how to help. 

Speech Delay: Definition, Signs, Causes

A speech delay occurs when a child does not say sounds by the expected ages according to developmental milestones. 

Speech delay is a broad term and is often used interchangeably with the term language delay , also known as late language emergence (LLE). This refers to a delay in the onset of language (the use of or understanding of words) without another diagnosed disability or developmental delay in motor or cognitive domains.   

A child with a language delay can show difficulties with expressive communication only (expressive language delay), or those who show delays in both using and comprehending language (mixed expressive and receptive language delay). 

Signs of a Speech Delay 

If a child has not met the milestones listed here by the age range outlined, it could be an indication of a speech delay.  

It should be noted that this list is intended to be used as a guide to inform families and professionals of the expected developmental milestones. If there are concerns, the child should be seen by a professional (such as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist) for a thorough evaluation:

• Makes cooing sounds
• Laughs, makes playful sounds
• Babbles sounds with early developing consonants, like ba or puh
• Babbles longer strings of sounds (ex: bababa )
• Produces early developing consonant sounds: m, n, h, w, p, b, t, k, g, and f within words
• Others can understand at least 50% of the child’s speech (50% intelligible to others) 
• Produces the y and v sound in words
• May still have trouble producing later developing consonant sounds such as: s, sh, ch, j, ng, th, z, l, and r . 
• Speech is at least 75% intelligible to others  

Signs of a Language Delay 

If a child is not demonstrating these skills within the expected age range, that is indicative of a language delay.

This list is intended to be used as a guide to inform families and professionals of the expected developmental milestones. With concerns, the child should be seen by a professional (such as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist) for a thorough evaluation:

• Babbles strings of sounds (ex: mamama )
• Points and waves 
• Imitates sounds
• Says 1 to 2 words (ex: dada )
• Follows simple, 1-step directions
• Shakes head for “yes” and “no”
• Understands the names of common objects and body parts
• Uses a combination of babbling or jargon with real words 
• Uses words to ask for help 
• Combines 2 words to form phrases
• Uses and understands at least 50 different words
• Says their name 
• Asks “why” and “how” questions
• Answers “what” questions 
• Uses 2 to 3 word phrases
• Tells a story from a book or video
• Uses location words like “inside” and “under” 
• Recognizes signs and logos 

Causes of a Speech Delay 

A child may have delayed speech due to certain diagnoses, such as:   

• Childhood Apraxia of Speech (difficulties with the motor planning and sequencing of speech sounds)   
• Dysarthria (weakness of the oral muscles used for producing speech) 
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 
• Developmental DIsorder (such as autism) 
• Genetic Syndrome (ex: Down syndrome) 
• Hearing Loss
• Neurological conditions (ex: Cerebral Palsy) 

In many cases, the cause of a speech delay is unknown and the child’s speech production skills can improve over time with Speech Therapy. 

Diagnosis of a Speech Delay

For an accurate diagnosis and ongoing progress monitoring, it’s essential to consult a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). The SLP can complete a thorough assessment, provide an accurate diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan designed to address the client’s specific deficit areas and improve their skills. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Definition, Signs, Causes

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a neurological and developmental disorder that involves difficulties with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. 

Signs of Autism 

The core signs of ASD are: 

• Trouble interacting with others by using verbal and/or nonverbal communication appropriately. 
• Challenges interpreting body language
• Difficulty interpreting sarcasm and abstract or figurative language
• Deficits in comprehending language 
• Trouble taking another person’s point of view (Theory of Mind) 
• Trouble making friends
• Difficulty playing games with others (social games, such as peak-a-boo)
• Challenges in initiating or sustaining conversation 
• Decreased use of eye contact, body proximity, or appropriate gestures (such as waving or pointing) to communicate
• Decreased interaction with others/preference for playing alone 
• Specific behaviors that the individual displays repetitively. 
• Lining up toys
• Atypical play behaviors (spinning objects repetitively instead of playing with them)
• Hand flapping, rocking
• Echolalia (immediate – repeating what others say, and delayed – scripting lines previously heard from others or in videos or books) 
• For example, limits play to a certain type of toy
• Perseverates on a certain topic during conversation (ex: a favorite video game) 
• Focused on parts of objects (such as the wheels on a car versus pushing the toy car itself) 
• May have difficulty transitioning from preferred interests and become upset

Many individuals with autism also show other related characteristics , such as the following: 

• Delayed language skills 
• Delayed speech production skills 
• Cognitive delays 
• Learning disabilities
• Hyperactivity 
• Feeding difficulties 
• Sleeping difficulties 
• Behavior difficulties (anxiety, difficulty handling emotions) 

Autism is considered a spectrum, and a child may demonstrate a range of symptoms (from a few to several). Symptoms can also range in their level of severity. 

Causes of Autism 

The exact causes of autism are not fully understood, and more research is needed in this area. It is generally accepted that there are several potential causes . These include:

• Certain gene mutations or variations are associated with autism 
• More than 100 genes mutations have been identified as presenting a substantial risk for autism 
• Profound social isolation
• Toxins, such as viral and bacterial pathogens, and prescribed medications
• Research is investigating potential influences of toxins such as cigarette smoke, heavy metals, and pesticides. 
• Parental age
• Pregnancy related factors (maternal obesity, gestational diabetes, and use of certain medications during pregnancy)
• Maternal antibodies/Autoimmune diseases 
• Asphyxia-related complications during birth
• Prematurity 
• Neurological differences (difficulties with brain connections or growth in specific areas of the brain)
• Metabolic problems (differences in the body’s metabolism/energy production system) 
• Problems with the immune system 

Diagnosis of Autism 

Early identification of autism typically leads to early intervention, which results in improved outcomes in therapy. If parents have concerns that their child is showing signs of autism, they should have the child evaluated by a professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis. 

Professionals who can diagnose autism include:

• Psychologist/Neuropsychologist
• Psychiatrist 
• Developmental Pediatrician
• Neurologist

The child may also be referred to other specialists, such as a Speech Therapist, who can assess and diagnose related challenges that the child may be experiencing. This includes speech and language disorders, and others.  

Speech Delay or Autism?

Is a speech delay a sign of Autism? It can be. Delayed speech is often one of the first symptoms that children with Autism may show. 

While speech delays can be a symptom of autism, not all children with speech delays have autism. How do you know if a child has only a speech delay or is showing signs of autism? A close look at these key differences between autism and speech delay can help. 

• Reduced eye contact
• Preference for playing alone
• Reduced initiation of communication (ex: a child may not bring an adult a toy to ask for it, or use words to request “help”) 
• Children with speech delays: play with toys in the intended way (ex: putting pieces in a puzzle) 
• Children with autism: may line up puzzle pieces and become upset if they are moved. 
• Sound production difficulties as a primary deficit. Children with speech delays attempt to communicate with others but may have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds correctly. In autism, the child may not consistently attempt to communicate with others. While the child may have trouble articulating speech sounds, other deficits may impact their communication skills more severely. 

Speech Therapy for Improving Communication Skills

Speech therapists can help children to improve their communication skills by completing an assessment, diagnosing specific speech and language disorders, and implementing effective treatment plans to improve the child’s skills. 

The Speech Therapist may work on areas such as: 

• Strengthening oral muscles to support clearer speech.
• Correcting speech sound errors/teaching proper articulation.
• Comprehension of verbal language (ex: following directions).
• Understanding nonverbal language (ex: interpreting facial expressions).
• Verbally, through producing words and sentences
• Nonverbally, through the use of signs, gestures, pictures, and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) 
• Social communication skills (ex: being able to participate in conversations) 

Seeking professional help from a Speech Therapist is critical in improving a child’s communication skills. The therapist can also provide parents with recommendations for strategies and activities to practice at home with the child. 

Other Methods of Help with Speech Problems 

In addition to Speech Therapy, other methods can successfully help improve a child’s speech difficulties. These include: 

• Reading aloud. Parents can model accurate articulation of speech sounds and how to form sentences. 
• Home practice of speech exercises. Consistent practice of recommended exercises (such as oral muscle strengthening or practicing specific sounds/words) can accelerate a child’s progress towards improving their speech. 
• Play games. Educational games and activities that involve communication can motivate a child to practice speech skills (ex: board games which involve asking or answering questions). 
• Sing songs. This is a fun way for a child to practice producing speech sounds and can help with using rhythm and melody appropriately. 
• Incorporate technology through articulation games/apps. Technology is often engaging for children. Playing games and apps while practicing speech sounds aloud can improve a child’s skills. 
• Monitor progress. Parents should keep track of what skills the child gains and which areas of concern they have. This involvement can enhance the effectiveness of interventions. 

Using Forbrain to Help with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Speech Delays

Forbrain, an auditory stimulation headset, can be considered as a revolutionary approach to addressing Autism Spectrum Disorder and speech delays in children. Forbrain is intended to enhance speech therapy interventions by allowing children to hear and process the sounds they produce, louder and more clearly. 

By utilizing bone conduction technology, Forbrain delivers personalized auditory stimulation. It’s designed to refine articulation, language comprehension, and overall communication skills. 

Parents and therapists can learn more about how Forbrain can be used with children with autism on the Forbrain blog . The Forbrain YouTube channel provides valuable insight into the science behind this innovative tool and its use with children with speech and language delays. 

Final Words

Navigating the differences between a speech delay and autism can be challenging, though critical for helping a child improve their communication skills. 

It’s important to keep in mind that although a speech delay is a symptom of autism, not all children with a speech delay have autism. The two disorders can be distinguished by determining whether a child shows the two core characteristics of Autism; difficulties with social communication and the presence of restrictive repetitive behaviors. 

Seeking services from a Speech-Language Pathologist is crucial when a speech delay or autism are suspected. This, along with the use of other specified methods, and incorporating specialized tools such as Forbrain, can help children with speech delays or autism improve their communication skills. This can enhance their ability to participate in academic and social situations, and enhance their overall wellbeing. 

Amaral, D. (2017). Examining the causes of autism. Cerebrum. DOI: Examining the Causes of Autism – PMC (nih.gov)

Havdahl, A., Niarchou, M., Starnawska, A., Uddin, M., van der Merwe, C., & Warrier, V. (2021). Genetic contributions to autism spectrum disorder. Psychological medicine , 51 (13), 2260–2273. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291721000192

Lordan, R., Storni, C., De Benedictis, C. (2021, August 20). Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment . Autism Spectrum Disorders. DOI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573609/?report=printable

Reetzke, R., Singh, V., Hong, J. S., Holingue, C. B., Kalb, L. G., Ludwig, N. N., Menon, D., Pfeiffer, D. L., & Landa, R. J. (2022, August 12). Profiles and correlates of language and social communication differences among young autistic children . Frontiers. DOI: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.936392/full 

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Difference Between Speech Delay and Autism

As a parent, noticing your child isn’t meeting speech milestones can be concerning. Is it just a speech delay, or could it be a sign of autism? Understanding the differences is crucial for getting the right support. Let’s dive into the key distinctions between speech delay and autism.

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What is Speech Delay?

Definition: Speech delay refers to a slower-than-expected development of speech and language skills in children. It is a common childhood issue that affects approximately 5-7% of children.

Common Causes of Speech Delay:

• Oral-motor issues: Difficulties with the muscles and coordination needed for speech production.
• Hearing impairments: Inability to hear sounds correctly, affecting speech development.
• Language processing problems: Challenges in understanding and using language.
• Environmental factors: Limited exposure to language, inconsistent language input, or emotional/social issues.

Signs and Symptoms of Speech Delay:

• Delayed first words: Later than 15-18 months for single words and 24-30 months for two-word phrases.
• Limited vocabulary: Smaller vocabulary size compared to peers of the same age.
• Difficulty producing sounds: Mispronunciations, substitutions, or omissions of sounds.
• Simple sentence structure: Short, grammatically simple sentences with limited vocabulary.

What is Autism?

Definition: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates and interacts with the world. It is characterized by a range of challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior.

Causes and Risk Factors of Autism:

• Genetics: Autism is strongly linked to genetic factors, with an increased risk if family members have ASD.
• Brain development: Differences in brain development during early childhood may contribute to autism.
• Environmental factors: Certain environmental factors, such as exposure to certain medications or infections during pregnancy, may increase the risk.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism:

• Social interaction challenges: Difficulty understanding and responding to social cues, limited eye contact, and preference for solitary activities.
• Communication difficulties: Delayed or absent speech, limited language skills, repetitive or echolalic speech, and difficulty understanding figurative language.
• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors: Fixations on specific topics or objects, repetitive movements or routines, and adherence to inflexible routines.
• Sensory sensitivities: Unusual reactions to sensory stimuli, such as loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures.

Key Differences Between Speech Delay and Autism

Communication and Language Skills:

• Speech Delay: Children with speech delay typically show a desire to communicate and interact verbally but may struggle with the production of speech sounds, language comprehension, or grammar.
• Autism: Children with autism may have delayed speech development, but they may also present with more severe language impairments, such as limited vocabulary, difficulty understanding figurative language, and challenges in initiating or maintaining conversations.

Social Development and Behaviors:

• Speech Delay: Social development is usually not significantly affected by speech delay. Children with speech delay typically show interest in social interactions and demonstrate age-appropriate social skills.
• Autism: Autism is characterized by significant challenges in social interaction and communication. Children with autism may have difficulty understanding social cues, making eye contact, engaging in pretend play, or forming friendships. They may also exhibit repetitive behaviors or restricted interests.

Examples Highlighting Differences:

• Speech Delay: A child with speech delay may be able to communicate their needs and wants using simple words or gestures, but they may struggle to form complete sentences or express complex ideas.
• Autism: A child with autism may have limited verbal communication and rely more on non-verbal cues, such as gestures or facial expressions. They may also show a lack of interest in social interactions or have difficulty understanding the emotions of others.

Common Misconceptions

Myth 1: All children with speech delay will eventually develop autism. Fact: While speech delay can be a symptom of autism, it is not a predictor. Most children with speech delay do not have autism and will develop language skills with appropriate intervention.

Myth 2: Autism is caused by poor parenting or lack of stimulation. Fact: Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with strong genetic links. There is no evidence to suggest that parenting or environmental factors cause autism.

Myth 3: Children with autism cannot live independent lives. Fact: With early intervention and appropriate support, many individuals with autism can lead independent and fulfilling lives. They can achieve academic success, hold jobs, and maintain meaningful relationships.

When to Seek Professional Help

Speech Delay:

• If your child is not meeting speech milestones, it is important to seek professional evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
• Early intervention for speech delay can significantly improve communication skills and reduce long-term impacts on learning and social interaction.
• If your child shows signs of autism, such as difficulty with social interactions or repetitive behaviors, seek an evaluation by a pediatrician or a developmental specialist.
• Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for providing the support and therapies needed to help children with autism reach their full potential.

Distinguishing between speech delay and autism is vital for providing the right support and interventions for your child. While both conditions can affect communication skills, they have distinct characteristics and require different approaches to treatment. Early evaluation and intervention are key to helping your child develop effective communication skills and thrive in their social and educational environments.

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Speech Delay vs Autism: How to Recognize the Difference

• A child is diagnosed with speech delay when they cannot form words or communicate as expected for their age.
• When a child isn’t talking by two years old and isn’t attempting to communicate in another way, through gestures or facial expressions, it might be an autism-related speech delay.
• Many children with a speech delay do not have an autism diagnosis.
• Understanding the difference between speech delays and autism-related speech delays will help your child get the right support. 
• Early intervention strategies such as speech therapy will significantly help a child catch up on speech delays. 

Have you noticed your child doesn’t talk as much as other kids his age? Or is your child not talking at all yet?

A mom approached me recently, concerned that her three-year-old wasn’t talking much. Moments earlier, he had taken my hand and pulled me to a toy he wanted to show me. Needing help, he mumbled an incoherent short word, signifying “up.”

Well-meaning friends and family had shared several ideas of what she could do better to help him talk. She felt guilty that she hadn’t done enough for him and worried that something else might be wrong. Like many parents of children with delayed speech, she wondered if her child had autism. It was clear her toddler struggled with speech, but speech delay, by itself, does not mean a child has autism.

Understanding the difference between a speech delay versus autism can help ensure your child gets the help they need. Early intervention with professionals will significantly help children catch up on delays.

Speech Delay vs Autism: Are They Related?

For some children, a speech delay can be an indicator of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but a speech delay by itself does not mean a child has ASD. Autism-related speech delays typically occur with other concerns involving social skills, learning, communication, and behavior struggles.

What is a Speech and Language Delay? 

Speech and language delays occur when a child has a hard time developing speech or language skills. Children go through stages of language development in the first three years of life. There are different types of speech and language disorders such as:

• Articulation disorders: inability to say certain speech sounds correctly
• Stuttering: problems with the flow of speech
• Apraxia: inability to say what you want consistently and correctly

If a child is trying to communicate but it’s difficult to understand what they say, it’s considered a speech delay. A child might struggle with sound development. Children that struggle with speech development produce sounds and typically use words to communicate but they are hard to understand. This is most noticeable around 18 months to 2 years old. 

A language delay impacts what a child says or understands instead of how they say it. If a child can say words clearly but struggles to combine words logically they have an expressive language delay. Your child can correctly pronounce sounds but the sentence does not make sense.

If a child has difficulty understanding others, they might have a receptive language delay or difficulty with language comprehension. This means the child struggles to comprehend verbal communication. 

What are the Signs of Speech Delay? 

There are different signs of speech development to look for in your young child. Recognizing early signs of speech language disorders increases the chance of early intervention. Many children can overcome a speech or language delay with early intervention techniques and speech therapy. Signs of speech and language delays include:

This list of signs of speech and language delays is not comprehensive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares more detailed, brief milestone screeners you can use with your children.

What is Autism? 

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder that impacts social skills, learning, communication, and behavior.   

A speech delay and autism might coincide, but other signs of autism include:

• Avoiding eye contact
• Not responding to their name
• Repetitive behaviors
• Delayed movement skills
• Showing limited or no interest in interacting or communicating with others

A professional must diagnose an individual with autism, but parents can utilize developmental milestone screeners, like the CDC’s signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders , to screen for signs of autism.

Can a Child Without Autism Have a Speech Delay?

Speech delays are common in children with autism spectrum disorder but are also common among children without autism.

If your child is engaging with you and communicating without words, it’s likely they do not have an autistic speech delay. Instead of single words, a child might communicate through gestures, body language, and babbling. 

What are Other Reasons for Speech Delay? 

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech delay, seeking professional help can rule out other reasons that might contribute to your child’s speech delay. These reasons might include:

• Hearing loss, sometimes caused by chronic ear infections
• Expressive language disorder
• Brain injury
• Oral impairment or oral-motor problems such as lip/tongue tie or feeding issues
• Selective mutism
• Cerebral palsy

In addition to these possible reasons, some children are just late talkers. There might not be a specific reason contributing to their speech delay. When a child still attempts to communicate with others it’s often considered being a “late talker” and not an autism-related speech delay.  

When Does Speech Delay Mean Autism?

When a child isn’t talking by two years old and isn’t attempting to communicate in another way, like through gestures or facial expressions, it might be an autism-related speech delay. Early indicators of autism can be identified at 18 months or younger, but most screening tools are reliable at two years old.   

In addition to the signs of speech delay above, speech related signs of autism include:

• Limited engagement or interaction with others
• Using few or no gestures
• Flat, toneless speech or exaggerated, hyper speech
• Excessive repetition of words or phrases

How to Tell the Difference Between a Speech Delay and Autism

One of the key differences between speech delays and autism-related speech delays involves social communication skills. A child with speech delays is highly motivated by social responses, interactions, and attention. They will mimic others and try to engage. A child with a speech or language delay is slower to reach milestones but will follow typical developmental patterns of peers. 

Non-Verbal Communication

Typical communication milestones begin at birth when a newborn attempts to interact and engage with those around them. Early signs of speech delays and possibly autism include nonverbal communication skills of eye contact and facial expressions that start as an infant. 

Children with autism rarely make eye contact and tend to avoid direct eye contact. Instead of pointing or showing interest in objects, children with autism don’t develop or are slow to develop gestures and facial expressions. Children with autism also tend to struggle with understanding non-verbal communication. 

Verbal Communication

Children with a speech delay will try and engage others in interactions. Children with autism, however, typically do not seek out interactions. A child with ASD is either slow to respond or doesn’t respond when his name is called or when someone is trying to get his attention.  

Children produce sounds and attempt to imitate speech sounds around 6–12 months. A child with an autistic speech delay typically does not imitate speech sounds by 6–12 months. Some children with ASD develop speech at a regular rate or learn a few words. You might notice a child with ASD repeating these words repetitively, which is called echolalia .

Children with speech delays commonly interact and move like other peers. They tend to enjoy engaging in pretend play and interacting with other children.

Children with autism sometimes have repetitive behaviors and movements. They might spin in circles or flap their hands repeatedly. Sometimes children with ASD hyperfocus on a particular activity and have intense interests. They rarely engage in pretend play and focus more on independent play and their own interests.

When to Seek Professional Evaluation for Your Child’s Speech Delay

Early intervention is important for any delay in children. If you notice any of the early signs of speech delay mentioned above talk with your pediatrician as soon as possible. Children that receive early intervention strategies have a greater chance of catching up with peers.  

If you have speech concerns, your pediatrician will likely refer you for a speech-language pathologist (SLP) evaluation . Speech-language pathologists will utilize special tools to determine the specific language or speech concerns your child has. These speech and language development tests will focus on: 

• Receptive language delay or what your child understands
• Expressive language delay or what your child can say
• Sound development
• Speech motor disorder
• Oral-motor skills

Based on the results of these tools, your speech-language pathologist will create a treatment plan that best supports your child’s unique needs. Since speech delays differ, your child’s treatment plan will focus on your child’s development. This will likely include speech therapy to help improve communication skills.

Speech therapists will focus on oral motor and fine motor skills . Your child may learn a nonverbal language, or sign language , as a way to increase interactions. 

Collaborating with the speech therapist will further support your child’s ability to catch up on speech and language concerns. Children respond positively when parents regularly practice and implement the strategies they learn in therapy.

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Autism With Speech Delay: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

In this article, we will explore autism with speech delay and provide information on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options available for children with this condition.

Autism With Speech Delay

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. One of the hallmark symptoms of ASD is difficulty with communication, including speech and language delays.

In some cases, children with ASD may have a speech delay, which means they have trouble with verbal communication, such as speaking words, sentences, and phrases, compared to their peers.

For children with autism and speech delay, the challenges can be significant. Communication is a fundamental aspect of life, and a delay or difficulty in speech can impact a child's ability to interact with others, express their thoughts and feelings, and develop relationships.

Causes of Autism with Speech Delay

The causes of autism with speech delay are not entirely understood, but research suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role. Some studies have found that a family history of ASD, as well as certain genetic mutations, can increase the risk of developing autism.

Other research has suggested that exposure to toxins and other environmental factors during pregnancy or early childhood may also contribute to the development of autism.

Diagnosis of Autism with Speech Delay

Diagnosing autism with speech delay can be challenging, as there is no specific test for autism. Instead, doctors will typically rely on a combination of developmental screenings, assessments, and observations to make a diagnosis.

This may involve evaluating a child's speech and language skills, as well as their social interaction, behavior, and cognitive functioning.

Treatment for Autism with Speech Delay

There is no cure for autism, but early intervention can help children with autism and speech delay make significant progress in their communication skills. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapies, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy.

Speech therapy can help children with autism develop their language skills, from using single words to forming sentences and engaging in conversations.

Occupational therapy can help children with autism develop their fine motor skills, which can improve their ability to communicate through gestures and sign language. Behavioral therapy can help children with autism improve their social skills and reduce challenging behaviors that may interfere with their ability to communicate effectively.

In addition to therapy, parents and caregivers can also play a critical role in supporting children with autism and speech delay. This may involve creating a supportive and structured environment at home, providing opportunities for social interaction and play, and using visual aids and other communication tools to help children with autism express their thoughts and feelings.

The Impact of Speech Delay on Social Interaction and Behavior in Children with Autism

Speech delay in children with autism can have a significant impact on their social interaction and behavior. Since communication is an essential aspect of socialization, children with speech delay may struggle to connect with others, form relationships, and engage in age-appropriate play activities.

Children with speech delay may also experience frustration, anxiety, and behavioral challenges due to their inability to communicate effectively. They may resort to tantrums, aggression, or other disruptive behaviors as a means of expressing their needs and wants.

Furthermore, the lack of communication skills can lead to isolation, which can exacerbate the symptoms of autism. Children with speech delay may have difficulty understanding social cues or making eye contact, which can make it challenging for them to develop social skills and interact with peers.

It's important for parents and caregivers of children with autism and speech delay to recognize the impact that delayed speech can have on their child's overall development. Early intervention through therapy and other supportive measures can help improve communication skills, reduce frustration and anxiety levels, promote positive social interactions, and enhance overall quality of life for children with autism spectrum disorder.

How Early Intervention Can Improve Outcomes for Children with Autism and Speech Delay

Early intervention is crucial for children with autism and speech delay. Research has shown that the earlier a child receives therapy, the better their outcomes are likely to be.

Early intervention can help children develop communication skills, reduce challenging behaviors, and improve their overall quality of life.

Speech therapy is an essential component of early intervention for children with autism and speech delay. Speech therapists work with children to develop their language skills, including vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. They also help children learn how to use nonverbal forms of communication, such as gestures and sign language.

In addition to speech therapy, occupational therapy can also be beneficial for children with autism and speech delay. Occupational therapists work with children to develop fine motor skills, such as handwriting and using utensils.

These skills are crucial for effective communication through gestures and sign language.

Behavioral therapy is another critical component of early intervention for children with autism and speech delay. Behavioral therapists work with children to reduce challenging behaviors that may interfere with their ability to communicate effectively.

They also help children learn social skills, such as making eye contact, taking turns in conversations, and understanding social cues.

Early intervention can also provide parents and caregivers with education on how to support their child's development at home. This may include creating a structured environment, using visual aids to support communication, providing opportunities for social interaction and play, and promoting positive interactions between siblings or peers.

Overall, early intervention can have a significant impact on the outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder who experience speech delay. By providing therapy services at an early age and supporting parents in creating a supportive environment at home, we can help these children develop critical communication skills that will enable them to lead fulfilling lives.

How to Recognize the Signs of Autism and Speech Delay in Young Children

Recognizing the signs of autism and speech delay in young children can be challenging, especially since every child develops at their own pace. However, there are some common signs that parents and caregivers can look out for that may indicate a developmental delay.

One of the earliest signs of autism is a lack of social interaction. This may include avoiding eye contact, not responding to their name being called, or not showing interest in playing with others. Children with autism may also have delayed language development or difficulty communicating their needs and wants.

Speech delay is another common sign of autism in young children. A child with speech delay may struggle to use words or phrases appropriately for their age group, have difficulty forming sentences, or only speak using single words instead of full sentences.

Other signs that may indicate a developmental delay include repetitive behaviors such as rocking back and forth or flapping their hands. These behaviors may be calming for the child but can interfere with other activities such as learning or socializing.

If you notice any of these signs in your child, it's essential to speak with your pediatrician. Your doctor can perform developmental screenings to determine if there is a delay in your child's development and refer you to specialists who can provide further evaluation and treatment if necessary.

Early intervention is crucial for children with autism and speech delay, so it's essential to seek help as soon as possible if you suspect your child may be experiencing developmental delays. With early intervention and therapy services, children with autism spectrum disorder can develop critical communication skills that will enable them to lead fulfilling lives.

Different Types of Communication Methods for Children with Autism and Speech Delay

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods can provide children with autism and speech delay the tools they need to communicate effectively. AAC refers to any method of communication that supplements or replaces spoken language, including gestures, sign language, visual aids, and electronic devices.

Gestures are a form of nonverbal communication that can be used to supplement or replace spoken language. For example, a child may use a pointing gesture to indicate an object they want or nod their head in response to a question.

For children with autism and speech delay, gestures can be an effective way to express themselves when words fail.

Sign Language

Sign language is another form of nonverbal communication that uses hand gestures and facial expressions to convey meaning. American Sign Language (ASL) is the most commonly used sign language in North America, but there are many other sign languages used around the world.

For children with autism and speech delay who struggle with verbal communication, learning sign language can be an effective way to communicate their needs and wants.

Visual Aids

Visual aids are any type of image or symbol that represents an object, action, or idea. Visual aids can be used as a supplement to spoken language or as a replacement for verbal communication altogether.

Examples of visual aids include picture cards, symbol boards, and communication books.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices such as tablets or computers can also be used for augmentative and alternative communication. These devices typically feature software that allows users to select images or symbols on a screen using touch or eye gaze technology.

The device then produces spoken words based on the user's selection.

Overall, augmentative and alternative communication methods offer children with autism and speech delay the opportunity to express themselves effectively when traditional forms of verbal communication are challenging. By providing these tools alongside therapies such as speech therapy and behavioral therapy, we can help children with autism and speech delay develop the critical communication skills they need to thrive.

The Effects of Bullying to a Person with Autism and Speech Delay

Bullying can have a profound impact on individuals with autism who also have speech delay. These individuals may already face challenges in social interactions and communication, making them more vulnerable to bullying and its detrimental effects.

Being subjected to bullying can exacerbate feelings of isolation and low self-esteem in autistic individuals with speech delay. They may struggle to express their experiences or ask for help, which further compounds their distress.

The bullying may target their difficulties with speech, making them feel even more marginalized and misunderstood.

The consequences of bullying can be long-lasting and severe. It can hinder their social and emotional development, impede their ability to trust others, and contribute to heightened anxiety and depression. The negative impact on their self-confidence can hinder their overall progress, including language development and communication skills.

It is crucial to address bullying promptly and provide comprehensive support to autistic individuals with speech delay. Creating a safe and inclusive environment that fosters understanding, empathy, and acceptance is essential.

Education and awareness campaigns can help promote tolerance and compassion, while implementing strategies such as social skills training, assertiveness training, and individualized therapy can assist in building resilience and enhancing communication abilities.

Collaboration among parents, educators, therapists, and the community at large is vital in tackling bullying and supporting autistic individuals with speech delay. By working together to address this issue, we can ensure that every person, regardless of their abilities, is treated with dignity, respect, and kindness.

Can children with autism and speech delay learn to communicate effectively?

Yes! Early intervention through therapy can help children with autism and speech delay develop critical communication skills that will enable them to lead fulfilling lives. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapies including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy.

What role can parents play in supporting children with autism and speech delay?

Parents can play a critical role in supporting children with autism and speech delay by creating a supportive environment at home. This may include providing opportunities for social interaction and play, using visual aids and other communication tools to help children express their thoughts and feelings.

Additionally, parents should work closely with therapists to ensure that their child is receiving the necessary treatment for their condition.

How can family members and educators support individuals with autism and speech delay?

Providing a supportive and inclusive environment is crucial. Encouraging and reinforcing communication attempts, using visual aids and structured routines, practicing patience and understanding, and collaborating with speech-language pathologists and other professionals can significantly contribute to the progress and well-being of individuals with autism and speech delay.

Are there any resources or support networks available for individuals with autism and speech delay?

Yes, there are numerous resources and support networks available. Organizations like Autism Speaks, Autism Society, and local autism support groups can provide information, guidance, and opportunities for connecting with other families and individuals affected by autism and speech delay. Online platforms and forums may also offer valuable insights and support.

Autism with speech delay can present significant challenges for children and their families, but with early intervention and support, children with autism can make significant progress in their communication skills. If you suspect that your child may have autism with speech delay, it is essential to seek evaluation and treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

With the right care and support, children with autism can thrive and reach their full potential.

Steven Zauderer

CEO of CrossRiverTherapy - a national ABA therapy company based in the USA.

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The Difference Between Speech Delays and Autism

Speech and language delays are far more common than you may think — they affect around 10% of preschool-aged children. Because of this, it’s important to learn how to recognize a speech delay in your child’s first few years of life, so they can get the appropriate assistance early on to help them catch up in their development.

Delayed speech in children can occur for different reasons, some more serious than others. Many who are familiar with signs of autism during childhood development are aware that speech delays are common among autistic children. However, there are differences between some speech delays and those that are directly related to autism.

Children with autism develop other developmental delays and signs that are unique to the presence of autism. Knowing how to tell the difference between speech delay and autism can help you determine what type of developmental assistance your child may require, such as e arly intervention for autism or speech therapy.

Speech delay vs. autism: what’s the difference?

All children develop at different rates, especially in terms of communication. While most children start using basic verbal communication within their first 1-2 years of life, some children are what’s known as late talkers. There are also other developmental issues that can cause speech delays in children.

The main difference between other speech delays and autism-related speech delays is that children who are just late talkers still attempt to engage and communicate in different ways. For example, they might make babbling sounds, point, and use other types of body language to get what they want. 

If your child isn’t yet verbally communicating, but is actively engaging with people and communicating in these other ways, it is unlikely that their speech delay is due to autism.

On the other hand, if your child isn’t speaking by the age of 2, and isn’t using other non-verbal methods to try and communicate and engage with you and others, they could possibly be experiencing an autism-related speech delay.

Other causes of speech delay in children

It’s important to note that the behaviors mentioned above don’t always signify that your child’s speech delay is caused by autism. There are other developmental reasons they might not be communicating verbally yet. These include:

• Hearing problems
• Apraxia of speech (speech muscle-control issues)
• Cognitive setbacks
• Learning disabilities

Signs of speech delay in autistic children

If your child is not speaking by the age of 18-24 months, this can be a reason to suspect a speech delay, and you should look for certain signs to determine whether or not it may be related to autism. Fortunately, these signs are fairly easy to spot, even for non professionals, so you can decide whether or not early intervention for autism may be required.

Keep in mind that verbal communication varies greatly among children with autism. Some children who have autism may start using words earlier than other children, while others remain non verbal for years or even for life. On average, however, autistic children start forming words around 3 years of age.

If you start to suspect that your child might be suffering from a speech delay, watch out for the following signs and symptoms of autism speech development problems:

• Doesn’t respond/responds slowly to their own name or other verbal communications that should get their attention
• Makes babbling sounds and other “baby sounds” early on in life, then stops
• Is not developing/is slow to develop body language gestures, including pointing at and grabbing things
• Is not imitating speech sounds by 6-12 months old
• Is not developing a simple vocabulary by 12-18 months old
• Does not form simple phrases by 18-24 months old
• Communicates using pictures or sign language instead of sounds
• Speaks only in single words or repeats certain words/phrases (which are unrelated to what’s going on around them)
• Repeats words/phrases that they hear around them (can be from others or from television)
• Use words that don’t make sense in the context of what the child is trying to say

If you spot any of these warning signs, you should take your child to be evaluated by a professional, who can guide you regarding the next steps and a potential treatment plan .

Autism speech development: how early intervention can help

Early intervention for autism helps diagnose autism in children early on and can treat autism-related speech delays to aid your child’s development. At ECCM, our support coordinators are trained in understanding the difference between different types of speech delays and those relating to autism.

Whether your child is experiencing autism speech development issues or a speech delay caused by something else, our early intervention services can help them overcome challenges in the following domains of early childhood development :

• Physical skills (reaching, crawling, walking, drawing, rolling)
• Cognitive skills (thinking, learning, and problem-solving)
• Communication skills (talking, listening, and comprehension)
• Self-help/adaptive skills (eating and dressing themselves)
• Social/emotional skills (playing and interacting with other people)

The earlier your child is diagnosed with autism or another type of speech delay and assessed to be in need of early intervention, the better. We typically recommend beginning early intervention for autism or other developmental disorders around or before the age of 3. In the case of a later diagnosis, we recommend starting treatment as shortly after the diagnosis as possible.

Get support through ECCM’s services

By now you should have a better knowledge of when delayed speech is a sign of autism and when late talking may be caused by another issue. Many children with autism experience speech delays, but there are many other reasons for delayed speech in children, all of which can be treated using various early intervention and speech therapy techniques.

Our early intervention program at ECCM is available for children up to the age of 5. If you suspect that your child has a speech delay, contact our compassionate team at ECCM today. We will work hand-in-hand with you and your child to help them develop communication skills and other key physical and social skills.

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How to Tell the Difference Between Speech Delay and Autism

Is your child having trouble communicating? Surprisingly, over 10% of preschool-aged children experience speech and language difficulties. A speech delay or difficulty affects many children; in some instances, it is an indicator of another issue, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For parents on autism screening waiting lists, the uncertainty of whether their child has a speech delay or autism can be overwhelming. 

What is a speech delay?

The act of verbalizing, articulating, and manipulating the sounds used to make words is referred to as speech. A delay in speech development is a normal and even common phenomenon. This implies a child may follow standard speech milestones, but on their own timeline and at a slower rate than others their age. This child may also have trouble coordinating their tongue, lips, or other essential muscles to generate precise sounds because of a speech motor issue. 

A speech delay vs. a language delay

All children progress at varying rates in terms of language and communication development. One of the signs of a speech delay is difficulty with word pronunciation or sound formation. In contrast, a child with a language delay could have problems comprehending words and constructing complete sentences. To be clear, a language delay is not the same as a speech delay. If a child has a language delay, they may use words in a non-functional way, such as using labels to express their desires and needs rather than actual sentences.

 Autism and speech delay

The symptoms of autism spectrum disorder are well-known to include language impairments and learning problems. A child’s speech delay is one indicator of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although it is not diagnostic of the disorder in and of itself. ASD’s impact on a person’s ability to communicate and interact socially is unique compared to other forms of language disorders. These children can often have trouble with social communication because of issues interpreting gestures, facial expressions, and other conversational norms. Some children use repetitive words or phrases as a means of self-stimulation.

Children with ASD can also vary significantly in their linguistic development; some may begin speaking at an earlier age than average, while others may never speak at all. Even if a toddler with ASD shows typical speech development, they may still have difficulty later in life.

Speech delay: How can we tell it isn’t autism?

Children with a speech delay may lag behind their classmates in reaching these developmental markers; however, they are still influenced by the social responses of others, and these individuals also include those considered “late talkers.” Late talkers, and other children with speech delays attempt to interact and communicate in ways that distinguish them from children whose speech delays are connected to autism. They may babble, point, and utilize other nonverbal cues to meet their needs. Your child is more likely not to have autism if they are not yet verbally talking but are actively interacting with others and using these other forms of communication. They are socially motivated by connections with others in their lives, including their families and friends. Because of this, they like being involved in the focus of attention and are driven to act similarly to those around them. 

What are some typical early speech milestones I should be looking for?

Learning to identify a speech delay in your child’s early years is crucial for getting them the appropriate treatment they need to make up for any lost ground. The first place to start distinguishing between a speech delay and autism is the child’s use of pointing at objects. Children should be pointing by the time they are 18 months old and certainly by the time they are two. Your child should indicate what they want – including pointing to get your attention. This is an example of “joint attention,” and it shows that your child is trying to share something with you. Lack of pointing is a crucial red flag for autism, so even if they don’t have the words to label the object of interest, pointing with their index finger to show you is a strong indicator it’s not autism. 

Cooing, babbling, and eventually stringing together words and whole phrases are all part of typical speech development. An average two-year-old will have a vocabulary of 50 words, which will expand to over 1,000 words by the time they reach three. A typically developing child at age three will start to use their own and other people’s names in social situations and have around 1000 different words in their vocabulary. They can construct simple sentences, create plurals, ask questions, and tell stories. However, your child may be facing an autism-related speech delay if they are still not speaking by age two and are not making any other attempts to communicate and connect with you and others through body language.

Signs of autism-related speech delay

The following are indications and symptoms of autism-related speech development issues to watch for if you are concerned that your child may be experiencing a speech delay: 

• Babbles and coos when a baby; then suddenly stops
• Does not mimic vocalizations between the ages of 6 and 12 months
• Not saying simple words between the ages of 12 and 18 months
• Not able to create basic phrases by the age of 18–24 months
• Doesn’t respond to name or attempts at gaining their attention
• Relies on gestural or body language to communicate and/or takes a longer time to acquire these skills than their peers
• Repetitively uses the same phrases or similar words or repeats phrases they hear around them
• Trouble understanding simple instructions
• Uses words or phrases that don’t make sense within the content of the situation 

It is essential to remember that the behaviors mentioned above do not necessarily indicate that your child’s speech delay is caused by autism. There are more developmental reasons why kids may not be speaking yet. These can involve hearing impairment, cognitive regression, learning disabilities, and apraxia of speech (issues with muscle control). 

When you understand the differences between autism and speech delay, you can better assess whether your child needs speech therapy or early intervention for autism. An ABA therapist can help you determine the root of the issue and provide effective treatment. They will assess your child’s ability to understand and communicate through speech. They will also determine deficits in your child’s language and communication. Contact our team at Apollo for more questions about an autism assessment.

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Autism with Speech Delay: What You Need to Know

While some children with ASD may have delayed speech and language development, others do not. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at autism with speech delay, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Understanding Speech Delay in Autism

For individuals with autism, speech delay is a common characteristic that can significantly impact their ability to communicate verbally. Understanding the nature of speech delay in autism and the factors contributing to it is crucial for providing appropriate support and intervention.

Speech Delay as a Common Characteristic of Autism

Speech delay is frequently observed in individuals with autism. It refers to a delay or difficulty in the development of spoken language skills compared to their typically developing peers.

While some individuals with autism may develop speech skills at a later age, others may remain nonverbal or have limited verbal communication throughout their lives. It's important to note that not all individuals with autism experience speech delay, as it can vary from person to person.

Factors Contributing to Speech Delay in Autism

Several factors contribute to speech delay in individuals with autism. These include:

• Social Communication Challenges : Autism is characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction. Challenges in joint attention, reciprocal conversation, and understanding social cues can impede the development of verbal communication skills.
• Sensory Processing Differences : Many individuals with autism experience sensory sensitivities or differences, which can affect their ability to process and respond to auditory stimuli, such as speech sounds. Sensory processing difficulties can interfere with language acquisition and production.
• Motor and Oral-Motor Skills : Motor coordination and oral-motor skills play a vital role in speech production. Some individuals with autism may have challenges with fine motor skills or coordination, including the muscles involved in speech production, leading to speech delay.
• Cognitive and Language Processing : Autism is often associated with cognitive and language processing differences. Difficulties in understanding and processing language can impede the development of expressive language skills.

Recognizing the presence of speech delay in autism is the first step towards obtaining appropriate support and intervention for individuals who need it. Seeking professional evaluation and diagnosis is essential to identify the specific needs and strengths of the individual. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are professionals who specialize in assessing and treating communication difficulties in individuals with autism. They can provide valuable guidance and develop individualized intervention plans to address speech delay.

Speech therapy approaches, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and Sign Language, can also be effective in promoting communication skills in individuals with autism.

Understanding the factors contributing to speech delay in autism helps in tailoring intervention strategies to the specific needs of individuals, providing them with the necessary tools to communicate and interact successfully.

Early Intervention and Assessment

Recognizing the signs of speech delay in autism is crucial for early intervention and support. Identifying these signs allows parents and caregivers to seek professional evaluation and diagnosis, leading to appropriate interventions that can positively impact a child's communication skills and overall development.

Recognizing Signs of Speech Delay in Autism

Parents and caregivers should be aware of the following signs that may indicate speech delay in children with autism:

• Limited or absent babbling : Babies typically engage in babbling sounds by a certain age. If a child with autism does not exhibit these vocalizations, it could be a sign of speech delay.
• Lack of meaningful words : Delayed speech development is often characterized by a limited vocabulary or a lack of meaningful words by a certain age.
• Difficulty with social communication : Children with speech delay in autism may have challenges in engaging in back-and-forth communication, such as responding to their name, making eye contact, or using gestures to communicate.
• Repetitive or stereotyped language : Some children with autism may display echolalia, where they repeat words or phrases without understanding their meaning. This repetition may be immediate (immediate echolalia) or delayed (delayed echolalia).

It's important to note that the signs of speech delay can vary among individuals with autism. If you notice any of these signs or have concerns about your child's speech development, seeking a professional evaluation is recommended.

Seeking Professional Evaluation and Diagnosis

When speech delay is suspected in a child with autism, it is crucial to seek a professional evaluation and diagnosis. The evaluation process typically involves a comprehensive assessment conducted by a multidisciplinary team, which may include a speech-language pathologist (SLP), developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or other professionals experienced in diagnosing and treating autism.

During the evaluation, the professionals will assess various aspects of the child's communication skills, including expressive language, receptive language, social communication, and play skills. They may also consider other factors that could contribute to speech delay, such as hearing impairments or cognitive difficulties.

Obtaining a diagnosis can provide crucial information about the child's strengths, challenges, and individual needs. It serves as a foundation for developing a tailored intervention plan to support the child's communication development. Early intervention is key, as it allows for the implementation of evidence-based strategies and therapies to enhance communication skills and promote overall development.

By recognizing the signs of speech delay in autism and seeking professional evaluation and diagnosis, parents and caregivers can take proactive steps toward supporting their child's communication journey. Collaborating with professionals and accessing appropriate interventions can make a significant difference in improving communication skills, enhancing social interactions, and empowering individuals with autism to express themselves effectively.

Speech Therapy Approaches

Speech therapy plays a vital role in supporting individuals with autism who experience speech delay. There are several effective approaches that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and other professionals use to help individuals with autism develop their communication skills. In this section, we will explore four commonly utilized speech therapy approaches: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and Sign Language.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a widely recognized and evidence-based approach for teaching communication skills to individuals with autism. ABA focuses on understanding and modifying behavior through positive reinforcement. It can be tailored to address various communication goals, including improving speech and language abilities.

ABA therapists work closely with individuals with autism to develop personalized intervention plans. These plans involve breaking down communication skills into smaller, achievable steps and using systematic teaching methods to reinforce desired behaviors. ABA therapy aims to promote effective communication by teaching functional language skills, such as requesting, labeling, and engaging in conversations.

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a visual communication approach commonly used for individuals with autism who experience difficulties with speech. PECS utilizes a series of pictures or symbols that individuals can exchange to communicate their wants, needs, and thoughts.

PECS starts with teaching individuals to exchange a single picture for an item or activity they desire. As their skills progress, they learn to construct simple sentences using a sequence of pictures. PECS is often implemented in structured environments and gradually generalized to various settings and communication partners.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) encompasses a range of tools and strategies used to support individuals with limited or no speech. AAC systems can be low-tech, such as communication boards with pictures or symbols, or high-tech, involving electronic devices with speech output.

AAC provides individuals with alternative means of expressing themselves and engaging in conversations. It can include symbol-based systems, text-based systems, or a combination of both. AAC promotes functional communication by giving individuals the ability to express their thoughts, needs, and desires effectively.

Sign Language

Sign Language is a visual-spatial language that uses handshapes, movements, and facial expressions to convey meaning. It can be particularly beneficial for individuals with autism who struggle with verbal communication. Sign Language offers an alternative way to express thoughts and ideas.

There are various sign language systems used around the world, such as American Sign Language (ASL) and Makaton. Learning sign language can enhance communication skills, promote social interactions, and reduce frustration for individuals with autism who experience speech delay.

Each speech therapy approach has its own unique strengths and benefits. The selection of the most appropriate approach depends on the individual's needs, preferences, and communication goals. A qualified speech-language pathologist can assess the individual's abilities and provide guidance on the most suitable approach to facilitate their communication development.

Strategies for Supporting Communication

When it comes to supporting individuals with autism who experience speech delay, implementing effective strategies can make a significant difference in their communication development. By creating a communication-rich environment and utilizing various techniques, parents and caregivers can help facilitate communication skills. Here are some strategies that can be beneficial:

Creating a Communication-Rich Environment

Creating a communication-rich environment involves fostering an atmosphere where communication opportunities are abundant. This can be achieved by:

• Engaging in frequent verbal interactions with the individual, using clear and simple language.
• Encouraging turn-taking during conversations to promote reciprocal communication.
• Providing a variety of communication tools, such as visual supports and schedules, to enhance understanding and expression.
• Incorporating meaningful daily activities, like mealtime or playtime, that offer opportunities for communication practice.

Visual Supports and Schedules

Visual supports play a crucial role in supporting communication for individuals with speech delay in autism. Visual aids can help enhance comprehension and provide structure. Some effective visual supports and schedules include:

• Visual schedules : These can be in the form of visual charts or calendars that outline the sequence of activities throughout the day. They provide predictability and help individuals understand what to expect.
• Visual prompts : Visual prompts, such as pictures or symbols, can be used to reinforce verbal instructions. They serve as visual cues to support comprehension and facilitate communication.
• Social stories : Social stories utilize visual narratives to explain specific social situations, events, or expectations. They help individuals with autism understand and navigate social interactions more effectively.

Social Stories and Scripts

Social stories and scripts are beneficial tools for individuals with autism who struggle with social communication. These techniques involve creating stories or scripts that provide guidance and structure for social interactions. They can help individuals understand appropriate social behaviors, anticipate conversations, and respond in various social situations. By using social stories and scripts, individuals with autism can develop social skills and increase their confidence in social interactions.

Encouraging Non-Verbal Communication

For individuals with autism who have significant speech delay, non-verbal communication becomes essential. Encouraging and supporting non-verbal communication methods can help bridge the gap until speech develops, or even serve as a primary means of communication. Some strategies for encouraging non-verbal communication include:

• Gestures and pointing : Encouraging the use of gestures or pointing to indicate wants, needs, or preferences.
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) : PECS is a communication approach that uses pictures to facilitate functional communication. It allows individuals to exchange pictures to express their desires.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) : AAC encompasses various methods, such as communication boards or electronic devices, to support communication for individuals who have limited speech ability.

By implementing these strategies and techniques, parents and caregivers can create a supportive environment that fosters communication growth for individuals with autism who experience speech delay. It is essential to work closely with professionals, such as speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and utilize resources from organizations dedicated to autism advocacy and support.

Collaborating with Professionals and Support Networks

When it comes to managing speech delay in autism, collaborating with professionals and support networks is crucial for the development and improvement of communication skills. Here are some key resources and individuals that can provide valuable guidance and support:

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), also known as speech therapists, play a vital role in diagnosing and treating speech delays in individuals with autism.

These professionals specialize in assessing communication difficulties and developing customized therapy plans tailored to the unique needs of each individual. SLPs use evidence-based techniques and strategies to improve speech, language, and social communication skills. They can work with individuals one-on-one or in group settings, depending on the specific needs and goals.

Special Education Teams

Collaborating with special education teams within schools or educational institutions is essential for supporting individuals with autism and speech delays.

These teams consist of professionals such as special education teachers, psychologists, behavior analysts, and speech therapists. They work together to create individualized education plans (IEPs) that address the specific needs and goals of the student. Special education teams provide a structured learning environment, implement evidence-based strategies, and monitor progress to ensure that the student receives the necessary support for their communication development.

Support Groups and Online Communities

Connecting with other parents and individuals who have experience with autism and speech delays can be immensely helpful. Support groups and online communities provide a platform for sharing experiences, exchanging advice, and finding emotional support. These communities often have members who have navigated similar challenges and can offer insights and coping strategies. Participating in support groups and online communities allows parents to connect with others who understand their journey and can provide a sense of belonging and validation.

Parent Advocacy Organizations

Parent advocacy organizations are dedicated to providing resources, support, and advocacy for families affected by autism and speech delays. These organizations can offer valuable information about available services, educational rights, and community resources.

They often organize workshops, conferences, and training sessions to empower parents and caregivers with knowledge and skills to support their children. Parent advocacy organizations also play a crucial role in advocating for policies and programs that benefit individuals with autism and speech delays at a broader level.

By collaborating with professionals such as SLPs, special education teams, and seeking support from support groups, online communities, and parent advocacy organizations, parents can access a wide range of resources and support networks. These collaborations ensure a holistic approach to managing speech delay in autism and provide the necessary tools and knowledge to help individuals with autism reach their full communication potential.

Can autism with speech delay be diagnosed in infants?

Autism with speech delay can be difficult to diagnose in infants, as language development varies widely during the first year of life. However, parents and caregivers should be aware of any delays or differences in their child's communication skills and seek an evaluation if they have concerns.

Is there a link between autism with speech delay and intelligence?

There is no direct link between autism with speech delay and intelligence. Children with autism may vary in their intellectual abilities, just like typically developing children. Some children with autism may have average or above-average intelligence, while others may have intellectual disabilities.

Can children with autism with speech delay learn to communicate effectively?

Yes, many children with autism and speech delay can learn to communicate effectively with the help of early intervention services such as speech therapy. These services can help improve a child's language skills so that they can better understand and use spoken language.

Are there any alternative therapies for treating autism with speech delay?

While there are many alternative therapies promoted for treating autism, there is little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. It is important to consult a qualified healthcare provider before pursuing any alternative treatments for your child.

Autism with speech delay is a subtype of autism that affects a child's ability to develop and use language. While there is no cure for this condition, early intervention and treatment can help improve a child's language and communication skills. If you suspect that your child may have autism with speech delay, it is important to seek a diagnosis and begin treatment as early as possible. With the right support, children with autism with speech delay can learn to communicate effectively and lead fulfilling lives.

• https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-late-speech-a-sign-of-autism
• https://connectedspeechpathology.com/blog/speech-delay-vs-autism
• https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/speech-delay-vs-autism/
• https://presence.com/insights/childs-speech-language-delay-could-be-autism/

Improving Social Interaction Skills with ABA Therapy

How aba therapy can help with toilet training, developing adaptive skills with aba therapy, using aba therapy to address feeding issues, how aba therapy integrates with positive behavior supports, enhancing aba therapy with visual supports, how aba therapy supports functional communication training, improving executive functioning with aba therapy, using aba therapy to address repetitive behaviors.

Dr. Mary Barbera

Speech Delay vs Autism: Recognize the Signs to Delayed Speech in Children

Mary barbera.

Have you noticed a speech delay in your child or clients? Many toddlers have a speech delay or speech disorder, and sometimes it is a symptom of something bigger, like autism spectrum disorder. Not knowing if it’s “just” a speech delay vs autism can be confusing and overwhelming, especially to parents who are on waiting lists for autism evaluations. I know this from experience – especially since these waiting lists grow longer and longer each day. This guide will break down what speech delay is and how it can relate to autism. I’ll also tell you what you can do no matter what the diagnosis is for your child or clients.

Speech Delay vs Autism

When I assess a child for delays and autism spectrum disorder, I want to look at the child as a whole so I can get a full picture of what’s really going on. This means looking at much more than the number of words a child says compared to typical milestones. We want to assess things like pointing, whether a child responds to their name, their self-care skills and much more. Important behavioral signs like eye contact and body language can offer valuable insights. By looking at the whole picture, we can see much more clearly if a child has “just” a speech delay vs autism. 

What is Speech Delay or Delayed Speech?

Normal speech develops from cooing and babbling to using words in complete sentences. Looking at a typical child’s speech milestones will help determine if a child has a speech delay. According to Healthline , a typically developing two-year-old can say about 50 words. This increases to about 1,000 words by the time he turns three. A child may have trouble pronouncing words or forming the correct sounds. This is different from a language delay, where he would have trouble understanding words and using them correctly in a sentence. 

A speech delay can be caused by hearing loss, neurological disorders, lack of stimulation, and even a physical problem with the mouth like a tongue-tie. A speech-language pathologist can help diagnose and treat a speech delay. They will look at what your child understands, what they can say, how clear the speech is, and their oral-motor status.

What is the difference between Speech Delay and Autism?

A language delay is different from a speech delay. A language delay may mean a child has some words, usually labels, but they don’t communicate their wants and needs to adults or use words functionally. Children with autism spectrum disorder or autistic children often have language problems or developmental delay, and they can also have speech delay . Social communication problems can also result from speech delay and autism spectrum in children. 

One way to assess whether a child is a late talker or has more than a speech delay is to look at their imitation skills, pointing, and whether they respond to their name. A good tool to use is the M-CHAT. The Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers is a list of 20 questions that can help you determine if your child is showing signs of autism.

You might be wondering if your child has a speech delay vs autism because of all the isolation they are experiencing due to Covid-19. A speech delay can develop because of a lack of social interaction, though you may not notice the signs of a speech delay or autism if your child spends most of their time at home as well. There are many strategies that you can use at home to help develop speech, including singing songs, reading books, and talking with your toddler.

I go over all of these strategies and many more in my online autism courses as well as my book, Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism .

The Story of Lucas and His Journey with Speech Delay and Autism

I started looking into the early signs of autism because of Lucas. Like many children with autism, my son got started with just a speech and language delay. He went to a typical two-year-old preschool and didn’t cry or fuss much. He also went weekly to speech therapy when he was two. Initially, the SLP seemed optimistic that he would improve, and everything would be fine.

As a first-time mom with a nursing background, I didn’t know much about typical milestones. I knew nothing about the early warning signs of autism. But in my defense, it was the late 1990s before Google searches or Facebook and the rate of autism back then was 1 in 500, not 1 in 36 like it is today.

Once Lucas was diagnosed with autism, I made it my mission to learn the early warning signs and to train pediatricians around the state of Pennsylvania through an early detection grant from First Signs . I can’t diagnose autism, but as a Registered Nurse, and a Behavior Analyst with a strong background in autism spectrum, I do look for early warning signs of autism with a child. Such as an 18-month-old or two-year-old who’s not talking much or at all. And if your child is having these early warning signs of autism, please know not to panic. No matter the actual diagnosis, I’m going to tell you some things that you can do today to start helping turn things around.

Causes and Signs of Delayed Speech in Children

I would look for warning signs of a speech delay in an 18-month-old by looking first at pointing. By 18 months – or at least by two – a child should be pointing. Not just once a month pointing but pointing a decent amount. They should be pointing out things that they want like juice or a toy.

But they should also be pointing to get your attention – which is what we call joint attention. A child does this by pointing to show you things, like pointing to an airplane that’s flying up above. Even if they don’t have the language to say airplane, if they’re pointing with their index finger to show you the airplane, that’s a good sign that it might not be autism because that lack of pointing is such a critical red flag for autism.

In addition to pointing, I also look for a child, even a child that’s not talking, to understand some language. I remember when Lucas was two, I had a photographer come to the house to try to get some pictures. The photographer gave Lucas a film canister and said, “Here buddy, throw this away.” Lucas had no idea what the guy was talking about. The photographer looked at him like you should know this, you’re old enough. But he didn’t understand the language.

Warning Signs in Play and Imitation

In addition to looking at pointing and language, I also want to look for things like playing. Does the child play with more than just one toy? Or is he super focused on one object and needs to carry it around all the time? Does he play with things over and over again, like stacking blocks, not just for a couple of minutes while you do something quickly, but for hours and hours? If a child can be content not using language but is engaging in repetitive playing, this could be a red flag for autism. 

And finally, a child of 18 months or two years should naturally start to imitate some things, like waving or making an airplane fly. So, it’s not just if they’re talking or not, we also really need to look at things like play, imitation, and whether or not the child understands language. If he doesn’t have any imitation play, and he doesn’t understand language, it may be more than a speech delay.

Top 3 Recommendations for Children with Signs of Speech Delay

I have some good news. After working with hundreds, if not thousands of autistic children, as a Behavior Analyst, I learned that no matter if it is a speech delay or autism, putting the same proven ABA strategies in place can help increase talking and decrease tantrums.

Here are the 3 things I’d recommend you do if you’re concerned about your young child who is either speech delayed, showing some signs of autism, waiting on an evaluation, or has a diagnosis. 

Step 1: Milestones for Speech Delay and Learning Skills

It’s important to learn the typical milestones for speech and language skills and compare them to your child’s development. T he CDC has a great index of milestones  on its website of what is expected at every age. So, if your child’s 4 months old, 9 months old, or 2 years old, you can look and see what the child should be doing physically, cognitively, socially, and language-wise. You can use this site to answer questions such as when should a child be putting two words together, when should they be pointing or even feeding themselves.

All parents should monitor their child’s speech development as closely as they would other health parameters. A 12-month-old, 13-month-old, or 15-month-old not talking is not something out of the ordinary but when an 18-month-old is not talking or using words and just babbling, it becomes a matter of more concern. Experts say that the 18-month milestones up to the age of 23 months old, toddlers should have around a 50-word vocabulary though the pronunciation might be unclear. It is also around this 18-month speech development milestone that children normally start to combine words such as “more milk”.

However, it’s important to look at more than just a child’s language milestones. We also want to look at self-care skills like the ability to feed themselves, drink out of an open cup, and the ability to self-regulate. Do they get so upset that they can’t calm themselves down? Are they having frequent tantrums and problem behaviors?

If you have a two year old child, you’ll want to look at both the two-year-old milestones as well as the 18-month milestones. If you look at the two-year-old milestones and your child is not meeting them or missing several, but you look back at the 18-month milestones and they’re able to do all of them, then this may be considered just a minor delay.

It is important to not to panic, if the same two year old child has reached the 18-month milestones expected of him/her but somewhat struggling to reach the 24-month-old milestones. This could just be indicative of a  speech delay , and there is so much that you can do to help your child with delays.

If there are discrepancies between what your child is doing and the milestones they should be meeting, I’d go on to step number two, which is to make a sick appointment with your child’s pediatrician. This is something that I never thought to do especially when I was  still in denial  that my oldest son had autism.

Step 2: Make an Appointment with Your Child’s Pediatrician

Before going further, let me briefly explain what autism is. Autism refers to a broad range of conditions that inhibit social skills, speech, and non-verbal communication and can show repetitive behavior. It is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.

Signs of autism and symptoms can be confusing, which is why it is important to pay attention to your child’s ability to meet expected milestones. Some of the early signs of autism in children include not responding to their names, avoiding eye contact, repetitive movements like flapping their hands or rocking their bodies, and getting very upset if they do not like something. The signs of autism in 18 months and 2-year-olds are similar .             

When I think back to before Lucas’s diagnosis there were no well-visits between ages two and three, and while my husband and I had some concerns, we never thought about going to the doctor specifically to discuss what those were. It is important to get a screening done by a professional, as soon as possible when you begin to have concerns. The earlier a child  can begin with early intervention, the better.

Also, in addition to contacting your pediatrician, if your child goes to day-care or preschool, you may want to talk to your child’s teacher too. See if they’re falling behind in the classroom and whether they are meeting important milestones similarly to their same-aged peers.

Step 3: Get Informed about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

You need to learn all you can about the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and my child-friendly, 4-step Turn Autism Around® approach. Using my proven strategies, especially when a child is very young, can turn around both speech delays and excessive tantrums by increasing language skill and improving things like picky eating, sleeping and potty training.

For example, in cases where a 17-month-old is not talking or there is a 23-month-old with a speech delay, parents and early intervention professionals can see rapid gains in children with or without a diagnosis of autism.  But in order to see the change you have to get started with the Turn Autism Around® approach as soon as possible. This will teach you proactive strategies that you can do with your child within your own home.

My approach, which is based on all of the science of ABA, can help children with speech delays, ea rly signs of autism in toddlers and other related disorders. I cover my approach extensively in my book and my online courses, and I believe this is the best path forward for turning around autism and signs of autism in your child or clients.

Helping your child or infant with speech and development delay – the next steps

In summary, if you are concerned about your child or toddler, and you can’t tell if it’s a speech delay vs autism, first learn typical milestones and warning signs. Visit the CDC website and MaryBarbera.com for helpful resources to compare what the child is doing. Then talk to your child’s pediatrician and their preschool teacher and get a screening done. Start early intervention as soon as possible. Finally learn about my unique, child-friendly, ABA approach. 

You can learn even more by downloading my free guide: Is it Autism, ADHD, “Just” a Speech Delay, or Typical Toddler Tantrums?

You can learn more by attending a free workshop: Stop Waiting and Worrying About Autism: 3 Secrets to Turn Autism Around in any Toddler or Preschooler .

Helpful Resources:

• Take My Free Autism Workshop
• Listen to the Turn Autism Around Podcast
• Download Is it Autism, ADHD, “Just” a Speech Delay, or Typical Toddler Tantrums?
• Buy the Book: Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism
• CDC’s Developmental Milestones

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3 Signs That Your Child’s Speech or Language Delay Could Be Autism

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Is Delayed Speech a Sign of Autism?

Early intervention with online speech therapy can be key to helping any child with a speech or language delay, regardless of the child’s diagnosis. Clinical research has consistently indicated that early intervention is essential to helping a child catch up to peers and become capable of better self-expression.

But that speech or language delay you detect in your child may suggest that autism is a concern as well. While speech delays are very common among children with autism , they are common in children without autism as well.

Typical Communication Milestones

From the moment of birth, a baby begins to communicate. Within the first three months, children are expected to look at their caregivers, respond to their voices, smile when smiled at, and react to sounds. Their cooing and crying are becoming signals of needs either met or unmet.

Within 6-9 months, it is typical for an infant to recognize familiar people, enjoy playing “peek-a-boo,” and begin to imitate familiar actions and sounds.

Within 12-18 months, parents begin to hear the first words, such as “dada,” “cookie” or “ball.” At this age, children also begin saying “hi” and “bye-bye,” as well as practically every child’s “no!”

By the time a child is 2, vocabulary is expanding quickly, and the child can be expected to be using between 250-300 words. At this age, children are also combining two words to make a request, comment, and label things they see.

By 3 years old, children begin answering questions and carrying out 2-step unrelated requests, such as “first clean up your toys, and then go get your shoes,” although they may need some encouragement to complete these tasks.

Unfortunately, for some children, reaching these milestones is not so simple.

Speech and Language Delays are Different

Before discussing the unique characteristics of autism , it’s important to understand the difference between speech and language delays. While they are often used interchangeably, they differ in key ways.

Speech is how children use articulation of sounds to then express their needs, wants, and desires. Those children whose speech is delayed tend to follow typical developmental patterns, albeit at a slower rate than their peers.

On the other hand, a language delay doesn’t refer to the physical act of “how” children produce sounds, rather, “what” they’re saying. In other words, while children can correctly pronounce sounds in words, they can’t use these words to form meaningful phrases or sentences. This is what is called an expressive language delay.

Besides expressive language delays, there is something called receptive language delay. This is when a child’s ability to understand what others are saying is compromised. These children struggle to process information, understand the meaning of new vocabulary words, and comprehend verbal communication or written text.

How Autism is Different

Although children with communication delays can follow the same progression as their peers, albeit at a slower pace, these children are still highly motivated by social responses. Just like their peers, they want to be held, touched and hugged by their parents. They respond positively to attention, copy the actions of those around them, and can become bored, upset, or lonely when left by themselves.

Simply put, even if a child is experiencing a speech or language delay, he/she is still a dynamic social creature. This is precisely the point of contrast with autism. Autism, while presenting some of the same symptoms as speech-language delays, is rooted in a completely different source: social dysfunction.

1. Lack of Social Communication and Social Relationships

One of the hallmarks of autism is the lack of social communication or the inability to form meaningful social relationships. These children often prefer to be left alone to pursue their interests. They generally have a greater interest in “things” than “people,” and rarely engage in pretend play.

They may also find it more difficult to use and understand non-verbal communication, such as smiling, gesturing, or facial expressions. Additionally, their interest in social communication is a means to get what they want, as opposed to an end in itself.

2. Inappropriate, Unexpressive, or Stilted Communication

Children with autism often have difficulty beginning or maintaining a conversation. The voice of many of these children is robotic, lacking inflection, and they will often respond to a question by repeating it instead of answering it. Along these lines, they may repeat words or phrases they recently heard (called echolalia), without an intelligible context.

Often, children with autism will compulsively label objects rather than commenting or requesting, and appear to look through people instead of at them, seeming to lack awareness of others. They often speak only in single words, or repeat certain phrases over and over, appearing unable to combine words into meaningful sentences.

3. Not Frustrated by Being Misunderstood

These children don’t appear to be frustrated when they aren’t understood. Instead, they will easily give up and go back to whatever they were doing, unless the interaction was intended to procure a highly desired object. Many children with autism also self-stimulate by staring at lights or mouthing objects and prefer repetitive actions.

Your Hope is Yours Forever!

If your child is indeed diagnosed with autism, you may feel that the doors have been shut on your child. Because, along with that diagnosis, you probably received a long list of dire predictions about the child you love, such as:

• Your child will either never talk, or do so with great difficulty
• Your child won’t have any friends or even hold your hand
• Your child will never have a job or get married
• Perhaps your child will never even say they love you

And no one could fault you for being filled with grief , feeling frightened, and even being angry.

But you aren’t obligated to accept the limits you have been told to place upon your child.

You need to know that your child has the capacity to learn, communicate, experience real joy and happiness, and develop warm, loving, and satisfying relationships. Children on the autism spectrum are capable of great change.

Irrespective of what you have been told, there is hope for your child. Because you are the parent, you have a love, a steadfast and lifelong commitment, and daily experience with your child that is unmatched.

You have the hope for your child, see the potential, and desire for your child more than anyone can imagine. And while there are no guarantees what any given child will accomplish, there is also no guarantee of what your child will not achieve.

Never ever give up!

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Speech Delay vs Autism: How to Differentiate

You have noticed that your child isn’t speaking as much as their peers. It may be possible that your 2-year old hasn’t said their first words yet. This begs the question: is it autism or speech delay?

A speech delay may be a sign of autism. However, it is not always the case. So, how do you understand autism vs speech delay?

What Is Speech Delay?

Speech delay or alalia is the delay in the development of speech or delay in the use of articulators to produce speech.

Speech is a part of the language. It is the process of making sounds using the lungs, voice box, vocal cords, tongue, lips, and teeth.

Experts consider a child to have delayed speech if the rate of development of their speech is slower than the normal rate of children their age.

What is Normal Speech Development in Children?

The rate of speech development is measured against age-related milestones. These milestones can act as references for determining the normal rate of speech development in a child.

Between 1 month and 6 months

• A child should be able to coo in response to voice.

Between 6 months and 9 months

• A child should begin to babble in response to voice and on their own.

By 12 months

• By their first birthday, children should be able to say "mama/dada" with meaning. Some children often begin to imitate two- and three-syllable words that they hear the adults saying repeatedly.

Between 13 to 15 months

• Children typically acquire a vocabulary of four to seven words. Around 20% of their speech should be understood by strangers as well.

Between 16 to 18 months

• An 18-month old should have a vocabulary of at least ten words. You should expect some echolalia (repetition of what you are saying) and extensive use of jargon.

Between 19 and 21 months

• By the time your child is between 19 months and 21 months old, their vocabulary should expand to twenty words. Strangers should be able to understand around 50% of their speech.

By 24 months (2 years)

• By their second birthday, children should have a vocabulary of at least fifty words. A 24-month old should be able to use two-word phrases. Strangers should be able to understand around 70% of their speech.

By 36 months (3 years)

• By the time they are 3, children begin to use plurals and past tenses in their sentences. 3-year olds should be able to count at least three objects correctly. They should use three to five-word sentences. Strangers should be able to understand around 80% to 90% of what your 36-month old is saying.

Between 3 and 4 years

• Children between 3 and 4-years old should be able to form 3 and 6-word sentences. They should be able to ask questions, relate experiences, narrate stories, and hold conversations. Strangers should understand almost 100% of their speech.

If your child hasn't reached these milestones at the right age, then you have every right to be worried and anxious. Speech delay and autism share an intricate relationship.

However, instead of worrying alone, you should take the help of a speech therapist or speech-language pathologist to determine if  it is autism or speech delay.

What Is Autism?

Autism or autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder.

The estimated prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is 1 in 54 children as of 2016 in the US population. Genetics plays a significant role in the cause of autism. However, it is a heterogeneous disorder and multiple mutations, linkages, and variations have been associated with autism in the last few years.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of early-appearing social communication deficits. Repetitive sensory-motor behaviors often characterize autism spectrum disorder.

Speech Related Signs Of Autism

Speech delays are common among children. Nonetheless, speech delays may also indicate autism. Thankfully, it is possible to tell the difference between speech delay and autism.

Here are the telltale signs of autism-related speech delays –

• The child is typically slow in responding or shows no response to parents or caregivers calling their name.
• The toddler may not gesture (point) towards objects or people.
• They may show a slower rate of language development. A one-year-old may coo and babble during the first year and then stop entirely.
• There may be signs of repeated words and phrases (echolalia).
• Most of the time, the child may be speaking in single words only.
• They tend to use words and phrases that seem out of place or have meaning only the child and their caregivers understand.

Why Do People Confuse Speech Delay with Autism?

Speech delays characterize autism spectrum disorder. Some toddlers with ASD who develop speech at a normal rate often face challenges using spoken language as they grow older.

It is easy to confuse the signs of speech delay and autism. With speech delays, children may reach the age-related speech and language milestones at a slower rate as compared to other kids their age.

Parents of toddlers with ASD report delays in their children’s speech development. Yes. Speech delay is an early indicator of autism in young kids, but it is NOT the only signifier.

Children with ASD may use varying vocal patterns, have a tough time using gestures and reading expressions. Experts note that some children also use repeated sounds and words for self-stimulation.

Symptoms of Autistic Speech Delay

Let us consider the cases of Charlie and Jaimie.

Charlie is currently 2-years old. He isn't talking at all. While he is a quiet child, he grabs his mother's fingers, tugs at daddy's sleeve, and cups his mother's face when he wants attention. He engages with his parents and interacts with other children his age during playdates. He dislikes naps because his parents leave him alone in his room.

Jaime, on the other hand, does speak a few words. Interestingly, he doesn't use these words to communicate. He repeats those few words and cannot use or understand gestures. He doesn't point towards something he wants or needs. Jaime doesn't engage with other children his age. However, he is quite content when his parents leave him alone. His parents find it difficult to capture his attention for longer than a few seconds.

If you think your child is more similar to Jaime than Charlie, it may be wise to consider having them evaluated for ASD.

Some children with ASD who are on the high functioning end of the spectrum may be more social compared to children with severe ASD.

Almost all children with autism face social communication challenges. However, with extended speech therapy and behavioral therapy, social communications may become somewhat easier for children with autism.

Autism vs. Speech Delay

Children learn pretty quickly that they need to communicate to receive what they want. In the cases of neurotypical children, they learn to make eye contact, babble, point, and tug on fingers or sleeves to communicate their needs long before they learn to speak.

Neurotypical children learn spoken language over time because they receive positive results from using it. While neurotypical children may experience speech delays, they exhibit the following behaviors –

• Children are motivated by smiles, hugs, and other social responses.
• Kids are naturally prone to imitate the actions of grown-ups around them.
• Children are more likely to observe people than inanimate objects.
• Neurotypical children prefer the company of people. They may tend to get lonely and bored when left alone.
• A child with autism has social communication challenges. These act as hindrances in establishing meaningful social communication.
• A child with ASD may be more motivated by their own interests as compared to social interactions.
• They may not imitate others' actions or rarely do so.
• Children with autism may show more interest in things rather than people.
• They may even be content when left alone.

Any child may face some level of speech development delay in their life. However, a child with autism will exhibit additional signs like difficulty in understanding non-verbal communication.

Hearing Problems Can Cause Autism-Like Symptoms

Sometimes, repeated infections in the ear and other factors can cause hearing loss in children before acquiring speech. In such cases, the symptoms of speech delay may mimic the early signs of autism spectrum disorder in toddlers. So, you may confuse speech delay with autism in this case.

If your child is showing signs of speech delay, you should book an appointment with an ENT(ear, nose, throat) doctor. Children with compromised hearing often make up with increased visual engagement.

Children with hearing disorders and no ASD typically have no problems understanding non-verbal communication and following social cues.

Vision Problems Can Look like Early Signs of Autism

Neurotypical babies should be able to follow their parents’ gaze or look where their parents are pointing.

The only exception is when the child's eyesight is impaired, or their vision isn't developing correctly. While it can mimic some signs of autism in children, a visit with the pediatrician and a simple vision test may resolve the parents' doubts.

What Should We Remember As Parents?

No two children with autism have identical signs and symptoms. Every child is unique. Kids with autism tend to experience speech and language development that is slower than neurotypical children. Special educators and speech-language pathologists can help children with ASD to explore their true potential.

Most importantly, ASD is not a psychological disorder. There is no cure for autism. With the right help and guidance, many children with mild to moderate ASD can manage their symptoms and become independent and functioning members of society.

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Learn about your baby and toddler developmental milestones! Check if you are on track, when to worry, and how to work on skills like language, potty training, and feeding!

Every child is different! Here are speech and language tips and tools for kids with learning differences, alongside information for parents provided by speech therapists.

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From your first worry to your first appointment, and your last speech therapy session – find the information you need to help your child thrive and gain necessary speech skills.

Parent's Academy › Speech Disorders › Speech Delay › If My Child Has a Speech Delay Do They Have Autism?

If My Child Has a Speech Delay Do They Have Autism?

Stacie bennett.

Speech-Language Pathologist , Trenton , New Jersey

Feb 3, 2022 First of all, there are VERY distinct differences between autism spectrum disorder and a child who has a speech delay.

In This Article

Autism vs. speech delay, speech blubs app for kids with speech delay, autism signs and symptoms, speech delay signs and symptoms.

Any professional who examines your child will know the difference between autism and speech delay , and won’t just give a diagnosis to give a diagnosis. Secondly, if you are concerned about a speech delay or autism spectrum disorder, you should take your child to see a speech-language pathologist (SLP).

SLPs cannot diagnose autism; that is done by a developmental pediatrician. Learn more about how autism is diagnosed! SLPs can, however, tell you that they are seeing signs of autism in your child.

From my professional experience and from what studies have shown, it is very important that if you feel like your child is showing signs/symptoms from either list, then it’s important to see the appropriate medical professionals to get an accurate diagnosis. I will, for the purpose of this blog, go through both diagnoses and their signs/symptoms. 

Speech Blubs is a language therapy app with more than 1,500 activities, face filters, voice-activated activities, and educational bonus videos.

The more you practice, the more it carries over into real-life situations! Try the Speech Blubs app for fun and engaging therapy sessions with your little one.

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There are many signs and symptoms that could indicate a person has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Not all adults or children with ASD will have every symptom, and some adults and children without ASD may display some of the same behaviors and symptoms. Check the following to learn the signs:

• Delayed speech and communication skills
• Avoids eye contact 
• Relies on rules and routines (rigidity) 
• Is upset by relatively minor changes
• Reacts unexpectedly to sounds, tastes, sights, touch, and smells
• Has difficulty understanding other people’s emotions
• Focuses on or becomes obsessed with a narrow range of interests or objects
• Engages in repetitive behavior such as flapping hands or rocking
• Doesn’t respond to their names by 12 months
• Doesn’t point at distant objects by 14 months

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Get personalized feedback on your child’s milestones.

A speech and language delay is when a child isn’t developing speech and language at an expected rate. It is a common developmental problem that affects as many as 10% of preschool children. Your child may have a speech delay if he or she isn’t able to do these things:

• Says simple words (such as “mama”) either clearly or unclearly by 12 to 15 months of age , 
• Isn’t using gestures, such as pointing or waving bye-bye by 12 months of age ,
• Prefers gestures over vocalizations to communicate,
• Has trouble imitating sounds by 18 months of age ,
• Understands simple words (such as “no” or “stop”) by 18 months of age ,
• Has trouble understanding simple verbal requests.
• Can only imitate speech or actions and doesn’t produce words or phrases spontaneously by 2 years of age ,
• Says only some sounds or words repeatedly and can’t use oral language to communicate more than their immediate needs by 2 years of age ,
• Can’t follow simple directions by 2 years of age ,
• Has an unusual tone of voice (such as raspy or nasal sounding) by 2 years of age ,
• Talks in short sentences by 3 years of age ,
• Can tell a simple story at 4 to 5 years of age .

Remember, early intervention with both conditions will result in your child having a better chance at having speech that meets his/her developmental milestones. Children with autism especially need the help of a professional so their language skills allow them to communicate more effectively with more neurotypical kids.

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The author’s views are entirely his or her own and may not necessarily reflect the views of Blub Blub Inc. All content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgement, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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Election Live Updates: Trump Suggests Debate Rules Are Set, but Harris’s Team Says Otherwise

Donald J. Trump and Kamala Harris have been tussling over whether microphones will be muted when a candidate isn’t speaking during the debate.

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Maggie Haberman and John Koblin

Here’s the latest on the presidential race.

Donald J. Trump announced for a second time that he would participate in a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris hosted by ABC News and suggested that the question of whether microphones will be muted when a candidate isn’t speaking had been resolved.

But a person briefed on the Harris campaign’s thinking said the issue remained an open discussion, and a spokesman for ABC declined to comment.

Mr. Trump has gone back and forth about whether he would attend the Sept. 10 debate, which he had agreed to before President Biden dropped out of the race. In the debate between Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden on June 27, microphones were muted when the candidates were not speaking — a term encouraged by the Biden team that the Harris team wants to change.

Later this week, Ms. Harris will sit for her first major interview since entering the race . She and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, will be interviewed by Dana Bash on CNN, which will broadcast the joint interview at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.

Here’s what else to know:

Trump’s transition team: Mr. Trump plans to name his former rival, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard, a onetime Democrat, as honorary co-chairs of a presidential transition team that will help him select the policies and personnel of any second Trump administration, according to a campaign senior adviser. Mr. Kennedy ended his independent campaign for president and endorsed Mr. Trump on Friday.

On the campaign trail: Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Mr. Trump’s running mate, was in Michigan earlier on Tuesday, before heading to an evening fund-raiser in Nashville. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who is likely to promote Ms. Harris’s economic message as she stumps for her campaign, was making appearances at events in Wisconsin. A video address by Ms. Harris will also be played at a gathering of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio.

An ad push for Trump: A super PAC is expected to spend $60 million on ads to boost the former president after Labor Day. The media buy is the latest addition to an already busy and costly advertising season that is set to see over a half-billion dollars spent to shape voters’ final impressions of Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump.

Harris’s husband: Doug Emhoff spoke at two fund-raisers on Monday night in the Hamptons. “My wife could be the next president of the United States,” he said in Sag Harbor. “That would be pretty cool!” The events raised $2 million for Ms. Harris’s campaign and for other Democrats. On Tuesday, he will attend a lunch reception in New York City.

Georgia lawsuit: Democrats sued the Georgia state election board , arguing that new measures approved this month seeking to alter the election certification process were illegal and could create chaos on Election Day.

Former Republican officials for Harris: More than 200 people who previously worked for President George W. Bush and Senators Mitt Romney and John McCain have signed a letter endorsing Ms. Harris . Their support reflects how Mr. Trump has transformed the Republican Party under his leadership as well as deep and persistent opposition to his candidacy from those who served past Republican presidential candidates.

Michael M. Grynbaum , Jonathan Swan , Rebecca Davis O’Brien and Theodore Schleifer contributed reporting.

Trump suggests debate rules are set. Harris’s team says otherwise.

But a person briefed on the Harris campaign’s thinking said the issue of whether the microphones will be muted — something the Trump team favors and the Harris team does not — remains an open discussion. A spokesman for ABC declined to comment.

Mr. Trump wrote on his social media website that the rules of the debate “will be the same as the last CNN Debate, which seemed to work out well for everyone except, perhaps,” President Biden.

The debate hosted by CNN, which took place in Atlanta on June 27, was calamitous for Mr. Biden, precipitating his decision on July 21 to end his re-election effort. During that debate, microphones for the candidates were muted when they weren’t speaking, a term encouraged by the Biden team.

That was ultimately seen by Mr. Trump’s advisers as beneficial to him, because it prevented the former president from the type of frequent and self-harming eruptions he is prone to. Instead, the focus was on Mr. Biden and his struggles to articulate his thoughts.

Politico reported on Monday that the Harris and Trump team had hit an impasse over whether the microphones will be muted for the Sept. 10 debate, set to take place in Philadelphia.

Mr. Trump’s team accused the Harris team of a bait and switch. Yet Mr. Trump himself, in an appearance on Monday in Virginia, said he personally didn’t care.

“Doesn’t matter to me,” Mr. Trump said. “I’d rather have it probably on. But the agreement was that it would be the same as it was last time.”

Ammar Moussa, a Harris spokesman, said in a statement that, “Both candidates have publicly made clear their willingness to debate with unmuted mics for the duration of the debate to fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates — but it appears Donald Trump is letting his handlers overrule him. Sad!”

The Sept. 10 debate was first agreed to when Mr. Biden was still in the race. The Harris team planned to stick with it, but Mr. Trump vacillated, and then announced in a news conference roughly three weeks ago that he would be there. Then on Sunday, he raised the prospect he might not attend after all , claiming the network was biased against him. Ms. Harris’s team on Monday publicly pushed the issue of the microphones.

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Michael M. Grynbaum

CNN’s Dana Bash to interview Harris and Walz on Thursday.

Vice President Kamala Harris has agreed to her first major interview since she became the presumptive Democratic nominee for president five weeks ago.

Ms. Harris will appear on CNN alongside her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, for a joint interview on Thursday in Georgia. Dana Bash, the CNN anchor who co-moderated the debate in June between President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump, will conduct the interview.

CNN plans to tape the joint appearance on Thursday afternoon and air it that evening at 9 Eastern time.

The question of where and when Ms. Harris would sit for an extensive discussion with the mainstream media has started to loom over her candidacy. She has shown little enthusiasm for speaking with reporters in unscripted settings, outside of a handful of impromptu sessions on the campaign trail that left little opportunity for sustained questioning about her policy plans.

Her allies say that, given the accelerated nature of her candidacy, Ms. Harris is being shrewd about her media rollout. She took advantage of last week’s prime-time Democratic National Convention to keep tight control over how she introduces herself to American voters.

Ms. Harris’s critics, especially Mr. Trump, say she has been hiding from scrutiny. Mr. Trump, who has done a flurry of interviews with a variety of traditional and nontraditional media outlets, has repeatedly accused the vice president of not wanting to open herself up to questions.

Within the TV news world, Thursday’s interview is a coveted prize for Ms. Bash and CNN, which has already played a consequential role in this year’s campaign. The network’s debate in June, with Ms. Bash and Jake Tapper as moderators, set off a panic among Democrats that led to Mr. Biden’s withdrawal from the race.

In choosing which news anchor to meet with first, Ms. Harris and her aides had to juggle several factors.

Appearing on MSNBC, a network with a fervent liberal fan base, could have been viewed by some voters as a cop-out. Democratic leaders are wary of Fox News. ABC News is already hosting next month’s debate between Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump, and CBS News is hosting the vice-presidential debate on Oct. 1 between Mr. Walz and Mr. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio.

Ms. Bash, 53, the anchor of “Inside Politics” on CNN, started at the network as a producer shortly after graduating from college; she has been a stalwart of the channel’s campaign coverage since 2000. Ms. Bash and Mr. Tapper received praise for their efforts at the June debate, where they played a muted role as the candidates clashed onstage.

Maggie Haberman

As Donald J. Trump claims on Truth Social that the ABC News debate rules will remain the same, meaning the microphones will be muted when a candidate isn't speaking, the Harris campaign suggests otherwise. “Both candidates have publicly made clear their willingness to debate with unmuted mics for the duration of the debate to fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates — but it appears Donald Trump is letting his handlers overrule him. Sad!” said Ammar Moussa, a Harris campaign spokesman.

Nicholas Nehamas

Vice President Kamala Harris will campaign in Pittsburgh on Labor Day alongside President Biden, their first joint campaign appearance since Harris rose to the top of the Democratic ticket. She will also appear in Detroit on Monday, her campaign said, while her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, will campaign in Wisconsin, another battleground state. The events will focus on unions.

Rebecca Davis O’Brien

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sawed the head off a dead whale and drove it home, his daughter says.

It is a violation of longstanding federal law to collect parts from the carcass of a protected marine animal if there are still “soft tissues” attached.

It becomes political intrigue if the collector was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the severed head of a possibly protected marine mammal streamed “whale juice” down the side of the family minivan three decades ago.

On Monday, the political arm of the Center for Biological Diversity, a progressive environmental organization, called on federal authorities to investigate an episode, recounted by Mr. Kennedy’s daughter in a 2012 magazine article, in which she said Mr. Kennedy chain-sawed the head off a dead whale on a beach in Hyannis Port, Mass., bungee-corded it to their vehicle’s roof, and drove it five hours to the family home in Mount Kisco, N.Y.

“It was the rankest thing on the planet,” Kick Kennedy, then 24, told Town & Country , in the article, which described Mr. Kennedy as someone who likes to study animal skulls and skeletons.

The story recently resurfaced, including in an entertainment publication, The Wrap , on Sunday and in a New York Post article on Monday.

In a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees marine protection, Brett Hartl, the national political director for the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, wrote: “There are good reasons why it is illegal for any person to collect or keep parts of any endangered species.”

“Most importantly, vital research opportunities are lost when individuals scavenge a wildlife carcass and interfere with the work of scientists. This is particularly true of marine mammals, which are some of the most difficult wildlife species in the world to study.”

Some species of whales, Mr. Hartl noted, are so rare that scientists can learn about them only through their carcasses washed ashore.

Mr. Kennedy, he wrote, may have violated not only the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972) and the Endangered Species Act (1973) — two seminal marine conservation laws — but also the Lacey Act of 1900, a conservation law signed by President William McKinley that prohibits the transportation of illegally gathered wildlife, dead or alive, across state lines.

Mr. Kennedy did not respond to a request for comment. Representatives for NOAA did not respond to a request for comment.

The whale has now joined a baby bear , at least one emu and a worm whose deaths have been intimately associated with Mr. Kennedy, the independent presidential candidate — and environmental lawyer — who last week joined forces with former President Donald J. Trump’s campaign.

The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Mr. Kennedy, 70, is a lifelong collector, trainer and handler of wild animals. At his home in Los Angeles, where he has been taming a pair of wild ravens , he also keeps a taxidermied turtle (a former pet) and a rare Sumatran tiger (a gift to his father). Other former pets include at least two emus, one of whom was killed by a mountain lion, the other by a family dog.

This month, Mr. Kennedy acknowledged that he had left a dead bear cub in Central Park in 2014 because he thought it would be “amusing” — an admission that came ahead of a piece in The New Yorker that detailed the episode. Mr. Kennedy told Roseanne Barr that he found the dead bear and had planned to skin the bear and put the meat in his refrigerator, but instead staged it with a bicycle in Central Park.

While some of his pursuits with wildlife have been merely curious, some may have skirted the line of the law. The North American Migratory Bird Treaty Act, for example, prohibits the “capture” of at least two species of ravens. New York law prohibits the “illegal possession” and the “illegal disposal” of a bear.

In an interview on Tuesday, Mr. Hartl said the whale incident, if true, would represent a “far worse” violation than the bear cub. (And if Mr. Kennedy still has any part of the whale’s skeleton, he could still potentially be charged with a federal offense even 30 years later, Mr. Hartl said.)

“When you swear into the bar” as a lawyer, “you take an oath to uphold the law,” said Mr. Hartl, noting that he, like Mr. Kennedy, is an environmental lawyer. “This isn’t a stupid rule. This is the law — laws that were passed almost unanimously” decades ago, he said. “This is not some silly current thing of the ‘corrupt deep state’ that he now claims to care about.”

Alan Rappeport

Alan Rappeport writes about Chinese investment in the United States. He reported from Big Rapids, Mich.

The Trump campaign stokes China fears to appeal to Michigan voters.

For two years, a rural town in the middle of Michigan has been embroiled in a civil war over plans by a Chinese-owned electric vehicle battery company to build a $2.4 billion factory.

On Tuesday, the local furor collided with presidential politics as the Trump campaign sought to leverage anti-China sentiment and concerns over the future of the electric vehicle industry in Michigan for political gain.

The fight over the E.V. battery facility has turned Green Charter Township, which is about 60 miles north of Grand Rapids, into the latest battleground over Chinese investment in the United States. Residents have expressed various concerns about the factory, including that it will be used by China to spy on Americans and will pollute the local environment.

The debate over the intentions of the Chinese company, Gotion, has led to angry town hall meetings, the ousting of the township’s board in an election last November and litigation over the future of the project.

Michigan is a pivotal swing state in the November election, and a New York Times/Siena poll this month showed Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, leading former President Donald J. Trump, the Republican nominee, by 4 percentage points.

At a 150-acre horse farm owned by one of the most vocal “No Gotion” activists, Senator JD Vance, Mr. Trump’s running mate, blamed Ms. Harris for Gotion’s arrival in Michigan. In 2022, Ms. Harris cast the deciding vote that enabled passage of the Inflation Reduction Act , which created billions of dollars in new green energy subsidies and has lured foreign companies to the United States.

“Kamala Harris not only wants to allow the Chinese Communist Party to build factories on American soil, she wants to pay them to do it with our tax money,” Mr. Vance said on Tuesday afternoon. “Democrats are helping China to destroy and replace our auto industry from the inside out.”

The crowd of approximately 500 supporters of the Trump campaign, some of whom were wearing shirts accusing Chinese companies of using forced labor, erupted in boos when Mr. Vance mentioned Gotion.

The Treasury Department has estimated that only 2 percent of the clean energy investments made in the United States during the Biden administration have been made by Chinese companies and that American companies or U.S. allies have made the rest.

During his brief tenure in the Senate, where he represents Ohio, Mr. Vance has been hawkish on China. He introduced a 2024 bill to combat Chinese currency manipulation and another piece of legislation that would ensure that inventions created by taxpayer-funded research cannot be manufactured in adversarial countries such as China.

Mr. Trump has also talked tough on China, imposing steep tariffs on its exports while president and moving to ban TikTok from U.S. app stores over national security concerns. He has since equivocated on TikTok , saying that, if elected, he would “save TikTok.” And despite his anti-China views, as president Mr. Trump welcomed U.S. investment by Taiwan’s Foxconn, which derives much of its revenue from its Chinese factories.

At the 2018 groundbreaking for Foxconn’s $10 billion plant in Wisconsin to make flat-screen televisions, Mr. Trump called the project the “eighth wonder of the world.” Plans for the factory later sputtered amid changing market dynamics and much of the planned site remains undeveloped.

Mr. Vance’s decision to wade into the fight over Gotion came in the wake of another shift by Mr. Trump, who earlier this year indicated openness to foreign investment. During remarks in March and at his July convention speech, Mr. Trump suggested that he would welcome foreign companies, including those from China, building car factories in the U.S. if they were staffed by American workers.

“If they want to build a plant in Michigan, in Ohio, in South Carolina, they can, using American workers, they can,” Mr. Trump said in March, adding that they could not send Chinese workers to staff those plants. “If they want to do that, we’re welcome, right?”

Gotion’s vice president of North American manufacturing, Chuck Thelen, embraced those remarks during a virtual town hall last month, suggesting that Mr. Trump was supportive of Chinese companies such as Gotion setting up shop in the U.S.

Last week, Mr. Trump changed his tenor on the issue. He said that he opposed the Gotion project, which has been supported by Michigan Democrats. They include Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has praised it as a win for the state. The battery factory is projected to create more than 2,000 jobs in the region.

“The Gotion plant would be very bad for the State and our Country. It would put Michiganders under the thumb of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media . “I AM 100% OPPOSED!”

Mr. Thelen said in a statement that he had not meant to suggest that Mr. Trump supported the Gotion facility but noted that the company had a good relationship with the Trump administration. He said that the company was moving forward with its plans.

“Speaking last month in Grand Rapids, former President Trump supported the onshoring of electrification manufacturing in our state and the United States by Chinese-affiliated companies,” Mr. Thelen said. “Trump wants the people of Michigan and our local economy to thrive from these types of jobs, and so do we.”

Gotion received $800 million in state subsidies, such as grants and tax exemptions, from Michigan’s strategic fund. The company could also be eligible to receive tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Coalition for a Prosperous America, which represents American manufacturers, estimates that Chinese companies could gain access to $125 billion in U.S. tax credits related to “green energy manufacturing” investments . Republicans in Congress have introduced legislation that would prevent Chinese companies from accessing such tax credits.

The debate over the future of Gotion has led to arguments about the environment, national security and the local economy.

“It’s important for Michigan to have jobs in these new industries,” said Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. “The question is, should we be giving subsidies to a Chinese company so we can have these jobs or could there be another alternative?”

The Biden administration has expressed concern about Chinese companies benefiting from the 2022 climate and tax law but officials have said that the legislation does not allow them to exclude foreign companies from getting tax incentives.

The Harris campaign did not immediately have a comment on Mr. Vance’s criticism of the vice president.

In June, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. proposed adding a military facility located near the planned Gotion factory to a list of sites that would give the investment review panel more authority to block foreign transactions. However, the rule would not be retroactive and could only obstruct Gotion from buying additional land in the area.

Mr. Vance, speaking after his prepared remarks, made no promises about what Mr. Trump might be able to do to stop construction of the Gotion factory if he is elected.

“Hopefully it progresses slowly and there is something we can do about it,” Mr. Vance told reporters.

The feud has divided Green Charter Township and the surrounding area in Michigan, leading to protests at town meetings and an aggressive “No Gotion” social media campaign. The township’s Republican board of trustees that had approved the Gotion factory was voted out last November and replaced with officials who pledged to stop the project.

Those efforts, which have included a move to block Gotion from accessing the local water supply, have so far been stymied by a lawsuit that the company filed against the township that alleges the officials are backing out of a legally binding agreement.

At Mr. Vance’s rally, many expressed hope that a Trump administration would support their efforts to stop Gotion.

“I’m really worried that they’re going to end up polluting the river,” Don Taylor, 82, of Hersey, Mich., said. “I don’t trust the communist Chinese, either.”

Lori Brock, leader of the movement to stop Gotion and owner of the Majestic Friesians Horse Farm where Mr. Vance spoke, said on Tuesday that it was “reckless and absurd” that the state and federal government are subsidizing a company controlled by China, which has a history of spying on the United States.

“We are against it and we don’t want it here,” Ms. Brock said. “The Chinese Communist Party is the biggest national security threat that our country has faced in decades.”

Michael C. Bender contributed reporting from Big Rapids, Mich.

Michael C. Bender

Senator JD Vance of Ohio, former President Donald J. Trump’s running mate, said he hoped that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would play a role in a potential second Trump administration, though he declined to say how. “He’s asking important questions about why Americans seem in such poor health,” Vance told reporters after a campaign event in Michigan today.

Christina Jewett

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with a new place on the Trump transition team and a stated interest in health topics, could be in a position to help choose the next directors of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, said Dr. Ashish K. Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health and the former White House Covid-19 response coordinator. “If he gets into government and appoints people who think the way he does, it will do enormous damage to this country’s public health,” Jha said.

For years, Kennedy has advanced discredited theories linking vaccines to autism and deaths, though he toned down his rhetoric for mass audiences, a New York Times review found . He has also suggested that Dr. Anthony Fauci profited from the Covid vaccine and that researchers created the virus, claims that have been widely disproved. And in recent weeks, Kennedy began to link consumption of seed oils and pharmaceuticals to a range of illnesses. “He goes way beyond where the scientific evidence is,” Jha said, “and makes broad generalizations often which are not true.”

Other public health leaders have voiced deep concern about the prospect of Kennedy’s gaining influence in national health policy. “It’s horrifying to think of R.F.K. Jr. ascending to that level of power and policy influence,” said Dr. Gavin Yamey, the director of the Center for Policy Impact in Global Health at Duke University. “He is an extreme anti-vax activist and conspiracy theorist with fringe views that are very far outside the mainstream.” Kennedy has repeated a claim that antidepressant medications have played a role in school shootings, which, Yamey said, stigmatizes mental illness and those who take medications.

Chris Cameron

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota made an appearance today on Subway Takes , a TikTok and Instagram series that interviews people on the New York City subway. Walz played up his folksy Midwestern character, talking about the importance of well-maintained rain gutters and his love of Menards, the home-improvement store based in Wisconsin. “I try not to be judgmental on people,” Walz told the host Kareem Rahma, who grew up in Minnesota (and once worked for The New York Times). “But when I see a well-maintained gutter, it says a lot about somebody.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new place on Donald J. Trump’s transition team is certain to be celebrated by Kennedy’s most ardent supporters, particularly in the so-called medical freedom community, whose members have protested vaccine mandates and other public health interventions. Several have told me that they hope Trump will give Kennedy free rein to tear down what they see as a corrupt and dangerous federal bureaucracy.

Maggie Astor

Speaking at a fund-raiser in Manhattan, Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, said, as he has before, that it was Harris who pushed him to become a sort of spokesman for the Biden administration on combating antisemitism. Emhoff, who is Jewish, described an appearance he made with President Biden and Jewish leaders on Oct. 11, just after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, to express outrage over the violence and solidarity with Israelis and American Jews. He did not want to take on the role, he said, because the news felt “too raw.” “I said, ‘It’s too hard,’” he said. “She said, ‘Too bad.’”

Theodore Schleifer

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, has added a few fund-raising events to his schedule this week, per invites I’ve seen. He will do a fund-raiser in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday and two more in Bethesda, Md., and McLean, Va., both in the Washington, D.C., metro area, on Friday. The McLean event will be hosted by the former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe.

Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, is scheduled to speak at a campaign fund-raiser soon at a restaurant 60 floors above the Financial District in Manhattan. Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue, is among the celebrities present.

At the fund-raiser, Emhoff says: “We’re going to win this election because of people like you and people all around the country who know that to really move our country forward — to literally save our democracy, rule of law and basically our way of life — we have to elect my wife.” He adds that the fund-raiser, and others he spoke at yesterday, will raise a combined $3 million for the Harris campaign.

Maggie Haberman Jonathan Swan and Rebecca Davis O’Brien

Donald Trump plans to name Robert Kennedy and Tulsi Gabbard as honorary co-chairs of his transition team.

Donald J. Trump plans to name his former rival, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard, a one-time Democrat, as honorary co-chairs of a presidential transition team that will help him select the policies and personnel of any second Trump administration, according to a campaign senior adviser.

Mr. Kennedy, who ended his independent campaign for president and endorsed Mr. Trump on Friday , described his transition role briefly in an interview that aired Monday.

“I’ve been asked to go on the transition team, you know, and to help pick the people who will be running the government,” Mr. Kennedy told Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host, in an interview posted on X.

Both Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Gabbard spent most of their public life as progressive Democrats. Only four months ago, Mr. Trump was calling Mr. Kennedy a “Radical Left Lunatic” who was “far more LIBERAL than anyone running as a Democrat.” Trump allies pushed stories about Mr. Kennedy’s record of supporting abortion rights and far-left environmentalism as they tried to make his independent candidacy less appealing to Trump voters.

Ms. Gabbard — a former congresswoman who represented Hawaii and left the Democratic Party after her 2020 presidential run — endorsed Mr. Trump on Monday and has been helping him with informal debate preparation sessions in recent weeks. Ms. Gabbard has rebranded herself as a celebrity among Trump’s base, and she has long been friendly with Mr. Trump and was briefly considered as a potential running mate.

It’s unclear what exactly she and Mr. Kennedy will do in their transition roles, but they will join Mr. Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, as well as his running mate, Senator JD Vance, as honorary chairs of the transition team.

Brian Hughes, a Trump campaign senior adviser, said that they are “proud that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard have been added to the Trump/Vance Transition team. We look forward to having their powerful voices on the team as we work to restore America’s greatness.”

Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Gabbard did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

Marc Short, a Republican strategist who served as chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence, said the involvement of Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Gabbard in the Trump transition was a blow to the conservative movement.

“From the convention platform to the transition team, free-market, limited-government and social conservatives have been kicked to the curb,” Mr. Short said on Tuesday. “Doubling down on big-government populists will not energize turnout among traditional conservatives.”

When Mr. Kennedy announced on Friday that he was suspending his campaign and backing Mr. Trump, he had said that the former president had “asked to enlist me” in a second Trump administration, later elaborating that his role would involve health care and food and drug policy.

On Monday, Mr. Trump told reporters that he had not talked with Mr. Kennedy about making him his Health and Human Services secretary, but added that he “knows a lot about the subject and has been very well received by the party.” Advisers close to Mr. Trump and Mr. Kennedy acknowledge that Mr. Kennedy would face an uphill battle to pass Senate confirmation for any job and might be better suited for a role that does not require Senate confirmation.

Mr. Kennedy had also discussed a role in the first Trump administration.

In early January 2017, Mr. Kennedy met in Trump Tower with Mr. Trump, who was at the time president-elect and had expressed skepticism of vaccines during his campaign. After the meeting, Mr. Kennedy told reporters waiting in the lobby of the building that Mr. Trump had asked him to chair a “commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity.”

There was an immediate backlash. Mr. Kennedy has a long history of spreading disproved theories imputing harm to childhood vaccines, including falsely linking them to autism. After concerns were raised, Mr. Trump’s aides talked Mr. Trump out of the idea and the Kennedy vaccine committee never materialized.

Since 2020, Mr. Kennedy has gained a significant right-wing following by railing against Covid vaccines and public health bureaucracy, and making sweeping claims of censorship by tech companies that he claims are doing the bidding of Democratic Party leadership.

Public health experts said on Tuesday that Mr. Kennedy’s new role on the transition team is a signal of the Trump campaign’s health policy goals, including those regarding vaccines. Mr. Trump has embraced some of Mr. Kennedy’s skepticism openly, vowing that he “ will not give one penny ” to any school that has a vaccine mandate.

It was not clear whether Mr. Trump was referring to common childhood vaccines or Covid shots. No states require the Covid vaccine for students.

In any case, it would be difficult for Mr. Trump to follow through on his promise to cut school funding for an array of reasons: The federal government does not set vaccine requirements for schools; most school funding does not come from the federal government; and an administration does not have the ability to withhold money that has been appropriated by Congress for a specific reason.

“Rhetoric like this sows confusion and unwarranted doubts about the importance and safety of vaccines for families across the country,” said Adriane Casalotti, the chief of government and public affairs at the National Association of County & City Health Officials.

In the months before Mr. Kennedy’s withdrawal from the presidential race, his campaign suffered a series of setbacks and unflattering news stories, including an accusation of sexual assault and a confession that he had left a dead bear cub in Central Park in Manhattan in 2014 because he thought it would be “amusing.” His support in polls, once between 15 and 20 percent, fell to about 5 percent by the end of August as the campaign struggled financially.

Chris Cameron and Emily Baumgaertner contributed reporting.

Pro-Trump super PAC to begin $60 million ad campaign next week.

A super PAC started by supporters of Donald J. Trump is launching what is expected to be a $60 million advertising campaign to boost the former president’s campaign right after Labor Day.

The media buy is the latest addition to an already busy and costly advertising season that is set to see over a half-billion dollars spent to shape voters’ final impressions of Vice President Kamala Harris and Mr. Trump. It comes from a super PAC called Right for America, which has raised tens of millions of dollars but waited until the fall rush to air any advertising.

Some Republicans have been surprised that the group, which had $38 million on hand as of June 30, had not spent its money earlier. But that may have prudent: Some Republican groups spent early money attacking President Biden who is no longer in the race.

“For the past four months we have worked hard to raise close to $60 million,” said Sergio Gor, who runs the group and is a friend of the Trump family. “We have now started spending in the key swing states and will do everything we can to ensure President Donald Trump is returned to the White House.”

Many of Right for America’s biggest donors are members of Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s club in Florida. The group’s main funders have been Ike Perlmutter, the longtime chair of Marvel Entertainment, and his wife, Laura, who have put at least $20 million into the super PAC. Right for America has received fund-raising help from Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who has headlined finance events for the group in Monterey, Beverly Hills, Seattle and at the Republican National Convention.

The group is planning to spend predominantly on cable and network television, with the remainder on digital and radio advertising, plus a few small contributions to other outside groups. One new ad , called “Laughing Matter,” takes aim at Ms. Harris’s record on the border, calling her “dangerously liberal.”

Mr. Trump could use more television help to stay competitive, although a collection of well-funded super PACs are planning to attack Ms. Harris over the final stretch of the campaign. One group, MAGA Inc., has received more than $100 million this cycle from businessman Timothy Mellon, an heir to the Mellon banking fortune, and has $56 million in television ads booked through Election Day. Another, Preserve America, is expected to take in more than $100 million from Miriam Adelson , a conservative megadonor, but has not made most of its fall reservations yet, with only $7 million booked through November.

Democrats, on the whole, have $315 million reserved for television and radio over the final 10 weeks of the campaign, compared to $140 million reserved by Republicans, according to AdImpact.

Senator JD Vance has a VIP traveling with him on the trail today. He and his mother, Beverly Aikins, just boarded the campaign plane to Michigan, where Vance is speaking this afternoon. His mother delivered an emotional moment during the Republican convention last month, when she teared up in pride during her son’s speech.

Shawn McCreesh

Reporting from Detroit

Campaign Notebook

This National Guard crowd likes what it hears from Trump.

They knew they probably should not have been laughing.

Hundreds of National Guard members sat chuckling in their camouflage uniforms as former President Donald J. Trump tore into Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, who served for 24 years in the National Guard. When Mr. Trump mocked him as “ Tampon Tim ” (a reference to a law he signed requiring schools to provide menstrual products to all students who need them) nervous laughter rippled through the crowd, then quickly dissipated.

“This group is a little more low-key than the ones I’m used to speaking before,” Mr. Trump observed.

It was Monday afternoon, and he was speaking at the National Guard Association’s annual conference in Detroit. There were people from all 50 states and various U.S. territories there. Those in uniform said they were prohibited from discussing politics with a reporter, but the crowd also included former service members who had gone to work for private contractors. These more casually dressed members of the defense sector were free to say what the others could not.

“I think it’s phenomenal that he’s out and about, speaking with the military,” said Walt Nichols, a 58-year-old from San Antonio who said he served for 26 years in the Texas National Guard and did three tours in Iraq (he is now a sales engineer for TacMed Solutions, which manufactures high-tech manikins). “We need him back,” Mr. Nichols said of Mr. Trump.

“We just found out this week that he was going to be here — we had no idea,” said Cliff Byrd, 45, a former Marine from Portsmouth, N.H., who now works for Vidarr Inc ., which specializes in night vision technology. “As you can see, a lot of people came out for it.”

The National Guard Association says it has hosted at least one major-party candidate in every presidential election year since 1992. Vice President Kamala Harris declined an invitation because of a scheduling conflict. President Biden sent a video greeting. It was played shortly before Mr. Trump arrived. There was polite, scattered clapping.

An hour or so later, Kid Rock (who got his start in Detroit) appeared onstage in a white T-shirt and red “Make America Great Again” hat to introduce Mr. Trump. Then the former president spoke.

“You were always there for me,” he told the men and women in uniform. “And I’m always going to be there for you.” They burst into applause.

To his critics, this has always been one the more confounding aspects of Mr. Trump’s political persona — his appeal among members of the military.

He received five deferments from the military during the Vietnam War, including one for “bone spurs” in his feet. He ridiculed John McCain, the senator who was held prisoner during the Vietnam War. He got into a war of words with a Gold Star family during his first run for the White House. His former chief of staff, John Kelly, claimed Mr. Trump referred to veterans who died in war as “suckers” and “losers” (which Mr. Trump has adamantly denied) and did not wish to be seen in the presence of military amputees because it didn’t “look good” for him. At a fund-raiser in New Jersey this month, Mr. Trump said the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is awarded to civilians, was preferable to the Medal of Honor, because that is awarded to soldiers “in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead.”

But when he ran for president in 2015, Mr. Trump articulated an exhaustion with the seemingly endless wars the United States was engaged in, and he has clearly connected with many members of the military who feel overlooked or condescended to by Democrats.

Asked about Mr. Trump’s recent comments about the Medal of Honor, Mr. Byrd said, “I haven’t paid attention to that.” Mr. Nichols said simply, “Not going to comment on that one.”

“I take some of those comments with a grain of salt,” said Rod Skotty, a 67-year-old Navy veteran from Greene, N.Y., who works at a data analytics firm called Xiphos Partners. “What’s really important are the actions that he’s taken, and the results.”

“We could sit here and nitpick,” said Jillian Decair, 37, who said she was a member of the Air Force based in Reno, Nev. “But what’s the big picture?”

For the next hour, Mr. Trump laid it out: He claimed the planet was on the brink of World War III while Mr. Biden bounced from one vacation (in California) to another (in Rehoboth, Del.). He described his own style as “peace through strength.” He said everyone in the National Guard would get a raise if he won.

In 2020, minutes after Mr. Trump declared himself “your president of law and order,” the Guard began clearing people protesting police brutality from the streets of Washington (many Guard members struggled afterward with the role they had played in Mr. Trump’s crackdown). But when his own supporters ransacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, he didn’t call on the National Guard. Eventually, others did. The Guard fortified the building and the city in preparation for Mr. Biden’s inauguration, sleeping in the hallways of the Capitol Complex (some were even made to camp out in an unheated parking garage).

Mr. Trump has ideas about how he would use the National Guard in a second term. “In places where there is a true breakdown of the rule of law, such as the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago, the next president should use every power at his disposal to restore order,” he said at a conservative conference in Dallas in 2022. “If necessary, that includes sending in the National Guard or the troops.”

The crowd in Detroit on Monday seemed unconcerned by such plans. “Domestic operations is part of what we do,” shrugged Dick Smith, 72, an Air Force veteran from Helotes, Texas.

“I think it’s needed to clean up areas,” said Mr. Byrd. “America has to get back on the right footing.”

Mr. Trump brought out Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman who served two combat tours in the Middle East. She left the Democratic Party and is now helping Mr. Trump prepare for his debate against Ms. Harris on Sept. 10. Ms. Gabbard told the audience how she’d been with Mr. Trump earlier that day at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where he honored troops who were killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan. “I felt the sorrow that he shared with them in their loss,” said Ms. Gabbard.

The audience erupted into applause when Mr. Trump said “the voters are going to fire Kamala and Joe on Nov. 5” and that by noon on inauguration day he would have on his desk the resignations of every single senior official involved in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. “You have to fire people when they do a bad job,” he said. “You’ve got to fire them, like, on ‘The Apprentice.’” The audience cheered louder at the mention of his old reality TV show.

“The problem is, when you fire somebody, they always end up writing a book about you,” Mr. Trump went on. “I get a book written about me by all these losers that get fired.” There have been many military men who have written about their time serving Mr. Trump, but he was most likely referring to his former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, whose new book, “At War With Ourselves,” was published this week. (“After over a year in this job, I cannot understand Putin’s hold on Trump,” Mr. McMaster writes, describing his former boss’s “ego and insecurities.”)

The audience sat rapt with attention until the end. Maybe it was a self-selecting crowd. Or maybe members of the National Guard just naturally lean right. Still, not everyone was entirely sold on what they’d heard.

“It was very interesting,” mused Bob Tibbetts, an army veteran from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who said he was an independent voter. “It was definitely a political speech.”

Did that bother him?

“A little bit,” he said. “The tone.”

A new ad from Kamala Harris’s campaign, part of a $150 million ad campaign for the month of August, focuses on housing. In it, Harris recalls growing up in rented apartments as her mother “saved for well over a decade to buy a home.” It says that if she is elected, she will push to build three million new homes and “fight for a law that cracks down” on rent gouging by corporate landlords.

Nate Schweber

In the Hamptons, Doug Emhoff calls Kamala Harris a ‘joyful warrior.’

Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, told receptive crowds at two fund-raisers in the Hamptons on Monday evening that his wife had met the moment — quickly winning the Democratic Party’s support for her candidacy under difficult circumstances after President Biden dropped out of the race.

“She’s just the most badass version of Kamala Harris,” he said, “when we needed it most.”

Mr. Emhoff spoke at the homes of supporters of Ms. Harris’s presidential campaign — on patios beside large, expensive houses, in backyards landscaped with oaks, hydrangeas and swimming pools. He traveled via a seven-car motorcade. Both events — one in Water Mill, the other in Sag Harbor — had many dozens of attendees. “My wife could be the next president of the United States,” he said at in Sag Harbor. “That would be pretty cool!”

Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, was scheduled to introduce Mr. Emhoff in Sag Harbor but had tested positive in the morning for Covid. Her husband took her place and expressed a friendly touch of jealousy at the prospect of Mr. Emhoff getting to be the country’s first “first gentleman.”

“He’s going to get the only job I really wanted for the last 20 years,” former President Bill Clinton said. “And he’ll be great at it.”

The events raised more than $2 million for Ms. Harris’s campaign and for other Democratic candidates.

At both events, Mr. Emhoff detailed how Ms. Harris had pushed him to crusade against antisemitism.

He described Ms. Harris as a capitalist who is for business growth — but also reminded his wealthy audience about her history of prosecuting lawbreaking businesses.

“If you cheat, if you take advantage of folks,” he said, “there you go, there has got to be consequences for that.”

And he characterized her as a “joyful warrior.”

“There’s the joy,” he said, “there’s also the warrior.”

In Sag Harbor, Mr. Emhoff spoke about Ms. Harris’s commitment to abortion rights and her respect for veterans. He contrasted her positions to those of Donald J. Trump, reminding the crowd about insulting comments about the military by the former president.

Laurie Tisch, who attended the event in Sag Harbor, imagined a different title for Mr. Emhoff, should Ms. Harris win the presidential race.

“Isn’t he a mensch?” she said. “We’re going to call him the First Mensch.”

Former aides to Bush, Romney and McCain back Harris over Trump.

More than 200 people who previously worked for President George W. Bush and Senators Mitt Romney and John McCain have signed a letter endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Many of the more prominent signatories, including a chief of staff, a legislative director and a deputy campaign manager for Mr. McCain, had signed a letter supporting President Biden in the 2020 election. Others work for organizations like The Bulwark and the Lincoln Project that oppose former President Donald J. Trump’s leadership of the Republican Party.

But the former Republican officials’ renewed support of the Democratic ticket reflects how Mr. Trump has transformed the Republican Party under his leadership, as well as deep and persistent opposition to his candidacy from those who served Republican presidential candidates.

Mr. Romney, Mr. Bush and other high-profile Republicans skipped the Republican nominating convention last month, while the Harris campaign made significant efforts to highlight the support of anti-Trump Republicans — as well as former members of Mr. Trump’s staff who no longer support him — with speaking slots at the Democratic convention last week.

“We have plenty of honest, ideological disagreements with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz,” the letter said. “That’s to be expected. The alternative, however, is simply untenable.”

The signatories include Mark Salter, a former chief of staff for Mr. McCain; Joe Donoghue, the senator’s former legislative director; Reed Galen, his deputy campaign manager and a co-founder of the Lincoln Project; Mike Murphy, a former McCain campaign strategist; Jean Becker, a chief of staff for George H.W. Bush; and Jim Swift, a senior editor of The Bulwark.

Nick Corasaniti

Democrats sue the Georgia state election board, warning of ‘chaos.’

Democrats sued the Georgia state election board on Monday, arguing that measures approved by the board this month seeking to alter the election certification process in the state were illegal and could create chaos on Election Day.

The lawsuit claims that the board intended to give local election officials a broad license to “hunt for purported election irregularities of any kind, potentially delaying certification and displacing longstanding (and court-supervised) processes for addressing fraud.”

The lawsuit was filed in state court by local election officials, political candidates, the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Party of Georgia with support from Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. The move comes weeks after the state election board voted 3-2 to pass rules to give election officials authority to conduct “reasonable inquiry” into elections before certification and to require that county election officials be given “all election related documentation” before certification. Both rules, the lawsuit argues, create the impression that local election officials have discretionary power over certifying election results.

The political spotlight has pivoted back to Georgia in recent weeks, since President Biden withdrew from the presidential race and polls have shown Ms. Harris closing the gap with former President Donald J. Trump in the critical swing state. The increasingly close nature of the race there has thrust the actions of the state election board to center stage.

Members of the board who voted to pass the new rules said that they would not permit officials to ignore deadlines for certification set by state law. But the lawsuit notes that some local election officials in Georgia have already sought to delay or refuse certification, and that the new measures add to a legal uncertainty that undermines the entire election process across the state.

“These novel requirements introduce substantial uncertainty in the postelection process and — if interpreted as their drafters have suggested — invite chaos by establishing new processes at odds with existing statutory duties,” the lawsuit argues.

The suit is asking the court to clearly state that certification is mandatory and cannot be delayed by election officials. It also seeks clarification that the courts, and not local election boards, are the venue for resolving disputes about alleged irregularities or fraud.

Delaying certification, the lawsuit argues, could also result in “mass disenfranchisement of eligible, registered Georgians.”

In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Democrats pointed to praise that members of the state election board received from Mr. Trump, and recalled the Trump effort to overturn the result in Georgia in 2020.

“The three members Donald Trump called his ‘pit bulls’ for ‘victory’ disagree, and they’re determined to establish a new power of not certifying an election result should their preferred candidate lose — as he did in 2020,” said Representative Nikema Williams, the chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Members of the state board of election did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit lands months after right-wing election activists obtained a 3-2 majority on the state election board, and began passing a host of rules and regulations that aligned with conservative goals.

During meetings in which both rules were passed, election officials from across the state weighed in, saying that some of the board’s proposals would create difficulties for local election officials so close to the election and cause unneeded extra work and costs.

In a statement, Quentin Fulks, a deputy campaign manager for Ms. Harris, framed the new rules as part of a broader effort by Republicans “to lay the groundwork to challenge the election results when they lose again in November.”

The shift in the board, and the new rules, have alarmed Democrats, voting-rights groups and even some Republicans, who have said that the board has exceeded its authority.

Brad Raffensperger, the Republican secretary of state, chastised the state election board this month, stating that the last-minute changes were undermining confidence in elections and risking the integrity of the election.

“Activists seeking to impose last-minute changes in election procedures outside of the legislative process undermine voter confidence and burden election workers,” Mr. Raffensperger said in a statement. “Misguided attempts by the State Election Board will delay election results and undermine chain of custody safeguards. Georgia voters reject this 11th-hour chaos, and so should the unelected members of the State Election Board.”

An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of a deputy campaign manager for Vice President Kamala Harris. He is Quentin Fulks, not Quinten Fulks. The story also mis-characterized Mr. Fulk’s statement. He said that Georgia’s new election rules -- not the Democrats’ lawsuit -- were part of a broader effort by Republicans “to lay the groundwork to challenge the election results.”

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