Do Toddlers with Autism Babble? [Answer from an SLP]

Sanya Modi
Mar 31, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Aug 8

What Is Babbling, and Why Does It Matter?

Babbling is one of the earliest speech milestones in a baby’s development. It typically emerges between 6 to 10 months of age and is a key indicator that a baby is experimenting with sounds and getting ready for real words.

There are two types:

Canonical babbling: clear, repetitive consonant-vowel combinations like “mama”, “baba”, “dada”. Canonical babbling is when a baby repeats the same sound over and over, like 'dada' or 'mama'. It is a critical milestone in development of speech and on an average a child acquires it by the age of 10 months.
Non-canonical babbling: irregular or less structured sounds like cooing, squealing, or glottal noises.

What is Autism?

Autism or Autism spectrum disorder is a set of conditions that develop due to neurological or developmental disorders. It affects how the person interacts, behaves, communicates, and learns in several ways, thereby making them different from others. A child with autism faces development delays in three major domains namely- behavioral, learning, and social interactions.

Why is babbling important?

Because it sets the stage for speech. It reflects both motor planning and social communication development. Delayed or absent babbling can be an early red flag for speech and language delays, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Researches have indicated that babbling is delayed or reduced in infants with a positive family history of autism or those who receive autism diagnosis later in their life.

Signs of Autism — Image credit- pigtailpals

Why Are Babbling Patterns Different in Autism?

There are several factors:

Neurological differences in brain regions responsible for communication and social connection
Reduced motivation for social interaction or shared attention
Differences in motor planning or oral-motor coordination
Less reinforcement from the environment (e.g., they may not respond to or initiate turn-taking sounds)

Comparison Table: Babbling in Neurotypical vs. Autistic Toddlers

Aspect	Neurotypical Toddlers	Toddlers with Autism
Age babbling starts	6–10 months	Often delayed or absent
Frequency	Frequent, consistent	Less frequent
Social engagement	Directed toward caregivers	May babble alone or without interaction
Eye contact/gestures	Often paired with babble	Often reduced or absent
Use of jargon	Rare	More common (repetitive, nonsensical sounds)

Is Lack of Babbling an Early Sign of Autism?

Yes, reduced or absent babbling by 12 months can be one of the earliest red flags of autism or other developmental delays.

Parents often search: “My 1-year-old isn’t babbling, should I worry?” “Is no babbling a sign of autism?” “My baby babbles but doesn’t make eye contact”

Not all children with autism lack babbling, but unusual patterns or lack of social babbling should prompt evaluation.

When Should Parents Seek Help?

No babbling by 12 months
Doesn’t respond to name or sounds
Rare or no eye contact
Doesn’t smile or socially engage
Babbling lacks variation or social purpose

These may indicate the need for a speech-language evaluation, especially when paired with repetitive behaviors, limited gestures, or poor joint attention.

How Professionals Assess Babbling

SLPs and developmental pediatricians look at:

Onset and type of babbling
Presence of gestures, joint attention, and eye contact
Social intent behind vocalizations
Hearing screening results
Parent-child interactions

They may use tools like:

Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS)
M-CHAT (for autism screening)

Supporting Speech and Language in Autistic Toddlers

Early speech therapy is one of the most effective ways to boost communication in toddlers with autism. It focuses on:

Modeling simple sounds and syllables
Encouraging imitation through play
Using visuals and AAC (Alternative Augmentative Communication) when needed
Building parent-child interaction routines
Encouraging functional communication over perfect words

Tips for Parents to Encourage Babbling at Home

Use repetitive play-based sounds: e.g., "beep beep," "moo moo," "uh-oh"
Repeat what your child says and add to it: “Ba?” → “Ball! Big ball!”
Use songs and fingerplay with repetitive syllables
Make eye contact and wait for your child to respond with sound
Use mirrors to encourage sound play

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do toddlers with autism always have delayed babbling?

No. Some babble on time but may show less social intent or fewer variations in sounds.

Can babbling in autistic toddlers sound different?

Yes. It may be more repetitive (e.g., same syllables), lack variation, or not be used socially.

If my child babbles, will they eventually talk?

Babbling is a positive sign, but not a guarantee. If speech doesn’t progress by 18–24 months, an SLP evaluation is important.

At what age should I worry if my child isn’t babbling?

If your child shows no babbling by 10–12 months, consult your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist.

What’s the difference between jargon and communicative babbling?
Jargon: long strings of sounds that mimic speech but have no meaning or intent.
Communicative babbling: used in turn-taking, with eye contact and social cues.