Speech and language disorders and their impact on social interaction and learning in autistic children: a linguistic and socio-educational approach

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often associated with speech and language disorders that impact communication, social interaction, and learning. Autistic children struggle with verbal expression, comprehension, and pragmatic language use, creating challenges in their interactions with peers and educators. Despite increased awareness of autism, effective intervention strategies remain necessary. This study examines speech and language disorders in autistic children from a cognitive linguistic and socio-educational perspective. It defines autism, identifies language disorders, and explores their effects on behavior and learning, as well as the barriers autistic children face in social interactions. The study employs a qualitative analytical approach, reviewing literature and educational frameworks to assess speech and language challenges in autistic children. It also investigates intervention strategies that support language development and social engagement. The study highlights significant difficulties in verbal expression, comprehension, and figurative language use, which hinder social interactions and cognitive development. These challenges underline the need for tailored interventions. The findings stress the importance of early diagnosis, specialized interventions, and raising awareness among parents and educators. The study advocates for structured educational strategies to enhance autistic children's communication skills, social integration, and learning experiences.