If your child has autism, they may have major difficulties with speech and communication, making it difficult for them to interact socially.  In such circumstances, your doctor may refer your child to a speech therapist.  But what can speech therapy do for your autistic child and what's involved? Communication problems caused by autism A child with autism may have the following problems with speech: may have no speech at all may make grunts, shrieks, or guttural throaty noises, instead of understandable words may speak in what sounds like a foreign language may just repeat what someone else says (echolalia) may use the correct words or phraseology, but with no expression whatsoever The role of speech therapy in treating autistic children