Communication difficulties

Some children with autism develop no speech. Other children with autism may seem to develop normally up to two years of age, and then suddenly they lose their ability completely. Also, they do not try to make themselves understood with gestures. Even though their speech is developing, children with autism have difficulties in initiating and keeping up conversations with others. They may have a so-called echo speech, they repeat what they've just heard, often in a monotonous voice. Children with autism have difficulties in understanding symbols, humour and irony. Language is interpreted literally, and they have difficulties with spontaneous play and imitation.