Speech deficits in persons with autism: Etiology and symptom presentation

Speech and other communication deficits are core features of the autism spectrum. This topic has become one of the most heavily studied in the child health/mental health field. Even within this group of disorders, considerable variability in symptoms is evident. A variety of subtopics within this area have been studied. Topics include types of communication deficits specific to autism, developmental course including language regression, communication as an aid in differential diagnosis, and collateral behaviors. This paper reviews selective research on these topics and further directions for study.

► Speech development and patterns are key factors in autism.
► Speech patterns vary not only from autism to other groups but within the autism spectrum disorder group as a whole.
► Speech deficits covary with severity of autism and a host of other collateral problems, such as challenging behaviors, fine and gross motor skills, and intellectual disability.