For autistic children with language delays, caring for and educating them are difficult tasks.
You will need to be more prepared and skillful, as well as have certain methods to help your baby improve his condition and reduce this syndrome.
When did your autistic child start talking? And is there a way you can help your child learn to speak earlier? This is a difficult question to answer.
However, there will be general information and appropriate methods you can apply. Scrolling down to know more!
Why Can’t Your Autistic Child Speak?
Do toddlers with autism talk? The answer depends on your child’s condition. However, as usual, they can talk when growing up.
So at what age do autistic toddlers start talking? Before learning this, it’s also important to look at the reasons behind autism.
What Is Autism?
You have certainly heard of it even if you have never met or had any acquaintances with autism. Worldwide, 1 in every 160 people is diagnosed with autism, which is a significant number.
According to Elemy, in the United States alone, about 1.8% of children in the United States have this syndrome as of 2022. This number has doubled compared to the last two decades, and we can see that this is an alarming number.
Autism is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This term describes a group of neurodevelopmental conditions.
This syndrome emphasizes differences in social communication and interaction. People with this one often have restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests.
Regardless of country or region, people can develop autism. Individuals with ASD vary in gender and age, but it is more common in children, and the proportion of patients is usually more boys than girls.
Cause Of Autism In Children
So, what causes people to get autistic spectrum disorders?
Many people believe that there are two main reasons for the increased risk of this syndrome. The first is genetic risk factors.
Changes in certain genes may increase the risk. When one parent has had the syndrome before, the rate of children with ASD is also higher than other babies.
The second factor is environmental risks. It can be due to complications during the mother’s pregnancy, premature birth, etc.
There has not been any research to confirm the exact cause of autism syndrome. A few common causes are summarized below:
- Genetic factors, accounting for 40-80% of ASD risk
- Due to genetic mutations and other genetic disorders
- Parents have a baby when they are old
- Pregnant women exposed to toxic environments containing heavy metals
- Preterm birth
- Maternal complications during pregnancy
- History of infections or viruses in the mother
When Did Your Autistic Child Start Talking?
According to parents of children with this syndrome, the average time for a child to start saying single keywords is about 36 to 48 months of age, between 3 and 4 years old. Although the exact time cannot be confirmed, recent studies have also yielded positive results as below.
Are All Autistics Nonverbal?
Do autistic kids talk? At what age does autism become nonverbal? The answers to the above questions will be quite complicated because it depends on each person’s situation.
Autistic children with nonverbal communication can be influenced by many behind-the-scenes factors. However, it cannot be said that they will never talk.
Some children only have certain communication barriers, and with the right guidance, the non-verbal child starts to talk and gradually improves their speech over time.
However, some with autism can’t talk. According to statistics, about 40% of children with autistic spectrum disorders cannot speak.
If autistic children’s symptoms worsen over time and grow more pronounced, we cannot discount the possibility that these kids will lose their ability to communicate verbally.
We should do all our power to encourage people with autism to start speaking and overcome the development delays.
Since we are unsure who can enhance their language skills after implementing appropriate approaches and who cannot, there are opportunities for everyone.
When Do Autistic Babies Talk?
Autistic children can still talk, and the problem here is perseverance and time.
Most of the time, their speech will develop slower than other children and are easily influenced by factors like family, environment, etc.
Studies show that, with the right support and practice, about 70% of children with autism will be able to start saying simple phrases. And about a third of them can become fluent in their language skills after a while.
Families that have children with autism report that the average time their child begins to say their first single words are between the ages of 3 and 4.
And some people believe that if their child can’t babble in single words by 5, they will completely lose the ability to speak.
Some signs your autistic child will talk:
- Children begin to communicate with you through eye contact
- They try to convey a message or intention through behavior
- The baby babbles unclear sounds
- Your children start to imitate your voice when you teach them
How To Communicate With Nonverbal Children
Use Simple Language
As mentioned above, individuals with autism have limitations in actions, interests, and even thinking.
Therefore, experts always recommend that, to start communicating with children, try to choose the simplest words possible and facial expressions.
Instead of saying a long sentence, you can try with a single word. First, a compound word or a two-word phrase, then gradually increase it.
For example, in the phrase drinking water, you can start with the word “water” first, then “drink”. Gradually, the child will be easier to adapt to.
You can also teach your child to use single words to describe things around him, feelings, or whatever he wants.
Optimize Playtime
When playing with children is the best time to practice communication and talk. You can choose games that help your baby learn while playing and help him practice his ability to imitate sounds.
In addition, extracurricular activities such as dancing, soccer, or kids’ activities on Hampton roads are also a great choice.
Try Different Ways
Instead of wondering, will my child with autism ever speak, try a different way. Parenting a child with autism is never easy. Therefore, we also cannot stereotype the way that children practice pronunciation.
Some children can practice speaking through sensory and brain training activities. At the same time, others will prefer physical activities such as sports or dancing.
If your little one doesn’t seem to show any special favorites, you can take a road trip with your baby to the countryside, beaches, mountains, or whatever so that he can find his interest.
Technology Can Help
In the 4.0 era, when technology is developing more and more over time, applications to support children with autism are also more diverse.
You need to consider and choose carefully to install an app on your tablet or phone to keep in touch with your child.
Follow Their Interests
Instead of stereotyping and asking your child to participate in the activities you want, slow down to see what your child needs and is interested in.
If your child loves Lego sets, use words like “assemble” and “block”. When your baby girl can’t take her eyes off the dolls, words like “dress” and “flower” will be easier to start with.
Face Your Child
Sit back facing the child and at eye level with them. At this time, children can also understand and feel what you convey, not only through words but also through eye contact or body language.
You can also easily observe all your baby’s gestures and actions.
Conclusion
When did your autistic child start talking? There is no exact answer to this question. This will depend on your babies’ conditions, how you teach and support them, the surrounding environment, and many other factors.
However, we can’t guarantee they will have any opportunities; we can only try our best and do it cautiously.
Your efforts and the right techniques will greatly increase the likelihood that your children will be able to speak.
