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Speech delay and autism

Speech delay and autism

Many parents of late talkers wonder about autism. Late talking on its own doesn't tell you whether a child is autistic. Only a professional assessment can.

  • Checked 2 November 2026
  • 8 sources
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Most late talkers catch up with other children by the end of the preschool years.[1] Talking late is also one of many signs the NHS lists for autism, and many autistic children don't show all of them.[2]

What the NHS lists as possible signs in young children

Professionals look at the whole picture, not one sign. The NHS lists signs such as:[2]

Communication

  • starting to speak later than other children, or taking longer to understand what others say
  • not responding to their name
  • repeating words and phrases
  • using less eye contact, and fewer facial expressions and gestures

Play and behaviour

  • finding it hard to join in with other children, or not taking part in pretend play
  • enjoying repetitive actions, such as opening and closing doors
  • repetitive movements, like rocking, spinning or hand-flapping
  • very strong interests, and getting upset by changes in routine

How to ask for an assessment

  • Speak to a GP if you think your child might be autistic. You can also talk to the SENCO at your child's nursery.[2]
  • If your child is not yet at school, a health visitor may need to make the referral.[3]
  • Support is available while you wait, and you can ask for a second opinion.[3]

Other things professionals check

  • Hearing, including glue ear, which can affect speech.[4]
  • Developmental language disorder (DLD): a long-term difficulty with language that isn't explained by a known condition.[5,6] It affects about two children in every class of 30.[7]

About autism

The National Autistic Society describes autism as a lifelong neurodivergence and disability. It is not a learning disability or a mental health condition.[8]

Sources for this page

  1. Late language emergence (practice portal) · American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  2. Signs of autism in children · NHS
  3. Getting an autism assessment · NHS
  4. Glue ear · NHS
  5. Developmental language disorder · Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  6. Bishop et al. (2017). Phase 2 of CATALISE: a multinational and multidisciplinary Delphi consensus study of problems with language development: terminology · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
  7. Norbury et al. (2016). The impact of nonverbal ability on prevalence and clinical presentation of language disorder: evidence from a population study · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
  8. What is autism? · National Autistic Society

Every source was opened and checked on 2 November 2026. All sources