Children with language delays can have different causes, and understanding how they may differ in terms of language development can be important. How does a typically developing child with a language delay differ from a child with language delays due to autism:

1. Social Interaction:

• Language Delay (Not Autism): A child with a language delay typically still shows interest in social interactions and attempts to communicate, even if they struggle with verbal expression. They may use gestures, eye contact, and body language to try to express themselves and engage with others. Their delay in language development is usually the primary concern.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A child with autism might have difficulty with social communication, not just language. They may avoid eye contact, struggle to understand social cues, and have limited interest in engaging with others. Social interaction can feel challenging for them, even if they can use language, and their communication style may be more unusual (e.g., not responding to others or not initiating conversation).

2. Language Use:

• Language Delay (Not Autism): A child with a language delay might have difficulty forming sentences, limited vocabulary, or trouble with grammar, but they generally use language in functional ways. They can understand simple instructions, ask for things, and talk about everyday experiences.
• Autism: A child with autism may also have delays in language, but they often exhibit specific differences in how language is used. For example, they might repeat phrases or words (echolalia), use language in a very literal way, or have trouble with imaginative or abstract speech. They might struggle with conversational turn-taking and might not use language in a flexible, social way.

3. Speech Development:

• Language Delay (Not Autism): A child with a language delay might show slower progress in speech sounds, vocabulary acquisition, or sentence formation. Their speech tends to develop in a relatively typical way over time, just at a slower pace.
• Autism: Children with autism may have more profound differences in speech development. Some may be nonverbal or minimally verbal, while others may have delayed speech but still demonstrate atypical patterns of language use. For instance, they might speak in a monotonous tone, or have difficulty modulating volume or pitch in their voice. They may always speak in a loud voice etc

4. Other Developmental Signs:

• Language Delay (Not Autism): A language delay, by itself, might not be accompanied by other signs of developmental differences. The child’s cognitive abilities, motor skills, and behavior in other areas tend to develop more typically.
• Autism: In addition to language delays, children with autism may show other developmental differences, such as restricted or repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand-flapping, repetitive play), narrow interests, or sensory sensitivities (e.g., heightened reaction to lights, sounds, or textures). They might also engage in repetitive routines and have difficulty with transitions or changes in their environment.

5. Cognitive Skills:

• Language Delay (Not Autism): Children with language delays generally show typical cognitive development. They may struggle to express themselves, but their understanding of concepts and learning in other areas may be on track for their age.
• Autism: While many children with autism have typical cognitive abilities, some may have intellectual disabilities. They may struggle with abstract thinking, problem-solving, or processing information in a flexible way. Others may excel in specific areas (e.g., math, memory) but have difficulties with general learning.

6. Emotional Responses:

• Language Delay (Not Autism): Emotional responses in children with just a language delay are typically more in line with their age. They might show frustration when unable to express themselves, but they usually demonstrate typical emotional regulation and understanding.
• Autism: Children with autism might struggle with emotional regulation and may have more intense emotional reactions. They can become overwhelmed by sensory experiences or social situations and might have difficulty understanding or expressing their emotions in typical ways.

In Summary:

• Language Delay (Not Autism): The primary issue is the delay in acquiring language skills, but the child typically engages socially, uses language in functional ways, and doesn’t exhibit other developmental concerns.
• Autism: In addition to language delays, there are broader social communication challenges, restrictive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, and sometimes intellectual differences.

If there’s concern about a child’s language development or if autism might be a factor, it’s helpful to have a thorough evaluation by a professional, such as a speech-language pathologist or a developmental pediatrician, to pinpoint the cause of the delay and determine appropriate interventions.