Characteristics of Autism: Communication

Children with ASD have difficulty both in acquiring speech and language and also in understanding and using nonverbal behaviors. Language and communication difficulties of children with ASD can range anywhere from a failure to develop functional speech to the development of functional but peculiar use of spontaneous language. Between 30-50% of children with autism never acquire functional speech; as more children receive the benefit of intensive early intervention, this number appears to be coming down. The level of communicative competence that a child displays is an important predictor of outcome for children with ASD.