Gender perspective: Parents' reactions to delayed speech in children with autism

1. Gender perspective: Parents' reactions to delayed
speech in children with autism
When exploring the field of speech and language therapy, the question arises: How do
parents and caregivers perceive and react? What about their son's speech delay
compared to their daughter's autism? Examination of this topic highlights the ways in
which gender influences parents' attitudes and actions toward speech delay.
Parents of children with autism often struggle with a variety of emotions when their
child has a speech delay, regardless of their child's gender. However, research shows
that there may be slight differences in how parents perceive and respond to speech
delay based on their child's gender. In many cases, parents may initially attribute a
speech delay to personality differences or developmental differences, especially in
boys, who are more likely to be diagnosed with autism at a younger age.
Additionally, social expectations and stereotypes surrounding gender roles may
influence parents' perceptions of speech delay. Boys are often expected to be
more assertive and independent, making their parents pay attention and respond
more quickly to speech delays. Conversely, girls may be perceived as quieter or more
reserved, which may delay recognition and intervention in cases of speech delay.
When seeking speech therapy for their child, parents may encounter additional
gender- related challenges. Research shows that boys are more likely to benefit from
early intervention services for speech delay than girls, who may be
underdiagnosed or overlooked due to differences in behavior.
In summary, understanding how parents and caregivers perceive and respond to
their sons' delayed speech compared with their daughters with autism is
important for providing targeted support and intervention. By recognizing and
addressing the influence of gender on parental attitudes and actions, speech-
language pathologists can ensure that all children receive appropriate measures
timely and appropriate intervention to support their communication
development.