Children who have a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of Autism or Asperger's Syndrome often have complex language difficulties. These include a literal understanding of language, difficulties making sense of the rules of social communication, and understanding non-verbal cues such as other people's facial expression.

Children with this disorder may also have problems with their understanding of language and their ability to produce language (receptive and expressive language).Autism may also be accompanied by an intellectual disability.

In some cases children with Autism will develop little or no speech, and will communicate using non-verbal communication systems