Speech Delay vs. Autism: How to Tell the Difference Under Pediatric Guidelines
It is common for parents to seek guidance when their child is not talking as early as their peers. When speech delays occur, parents frequently wonder if it is an early sign of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
At NeuroNest Child Neuro-Development Clinic (CNDC) in Indore, we help families differentiate between typical speech delay and broader neurodevelopmental profiles.
What is a Speech & Language Delay?
A pure speech delay occurs when a child is not hitting expected vocal milestones (like single words by 12-15 months or two-word phrases by 24 months) but has completely typical non-verbal communication, social interest, and motor imitation skills.
Differentiating Indicators:
Typical Speech Delay
- Uses expressive gestures (waving, shaking head, pointing) to communicate needs.
- Maintains consistent, warm eye contact when seeking toys.
- Shows active interest in playing with peers and sharing joint attention.
Broader Development / Autism
- Limited use of gestures to supplement lack of words.
- Struggles to respond to their name when called, or has fluctuating eye contact.
- Prefers solitary play; shows reduced interest in reciprocal child-led games.
Next Steps for Parents
If your child is experiencing communication delays, the first step is to consult a developmental pediatrician for a standardized language assessment and hearing check. Proactive, early speech therapy can quickly bridge typical delay gaps.
Observe similar developmental behaviors in your child?
Early detection and play-based programs yield outstanding developmental results.