How Autism Affects Communication

This is footage of my nephew and my son answering similar questions. I filmed this to help demonstrate how autism affects communication skills in children with ASD.

Notice how attentive and responsive my nephew is, who does not have autism and is younger than my son. Then notice how distracted and disengaged my son is, who has autism. His answers are short and quick IF ANY. He often “piggy backs” on my own words, exhibiting echolalia.

To learn more visit AutismEpicenter.com

To learn more visit AutismEpicenter.com. Check back often as we are adding new videos all the time.

12 Responsesto “How Autism Affects Communication”

1. AutismEpicenter says:

   May 20, 2011 at 9:40 pm

   @threeredheads I agree 100%. Thanks for noting that.
2. gguuffrr says:

   May 20, 2011 at 10:31 pm

   This was an excellent example, thanks for sharing.
3. Marikalyne says:

   May 20, 2011 at 10:51 pm

   Great post
4. AutisticWhoLives4God says:

   May 20, 2011 at 11:03 pm

   Well, to an autistic person, their world is better than everyone else’s. Autistic people need more time to think than “typical people.” I like to study objects like he does with the piece of broken gun. It looks to me like he has some sensory issues. Those can cause the real world to be scary. With support and patience from other people, he may achieve greatness. Autistic people can be a blessing to the world.
5. britanysanchez says:

   May 20, 2011 at 11:31 pm

   I really like how you talked to both kids…It really shows a lot.
6. FULLOOKKK says:

   May 21, 2011 at 12:11 am

   Still rather wonderful that he is verbal. Beautiful kids
7. crazyrockysback says:

   May 21, 2011 at 1:03 am

   This is a good demonstration as my son has autism and is very diffirent to other children,he’s 4 and very little speech but try’s to mimic every word also his understanding of words is not good.
8. IndigoCat17 says:

   May 21, 2011 at 1:23 am

   They are both sweet boys!!
9. crazyrockysback says:

   May 21, 2011 at 1:51 am

   My son has ASD he is 4 with the same problem he just mimics words
10. carol3hawks says:

    May 21, 2011 at 2:29 am

    You have captured autism
11. ShujiGangsta says:

    May 21, 2011 at 3:23 am

    thank you! very insightful and well done.
12. threeredheads says:

    May 21, 2011 at 3:38 am

    My child uses full sentences, is extremely aware, can hold conversations. It is important to note that not all people with ASD experience the same symptoms of the diagnosis. I get that you are trying to show the differences between the ASD and NT child, but cant assume this is typical behaviors for each diagnosis (just for the individual child)