Which feature is common in the speech of children with IDD into their adolescence and adulthood?

The presence of unintelligible speech is a common feature in the speech of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as they move into adolescence and adulthood. This unintelligibility can stem from a variety of factors associated with IDD, including cognitive limitations that affect language processing and motor planning difficulties which impact speech production.

As children with IDD grow, they may struggle with the clarity and fluidity of their speech, leading to challenges in being understood by others. This can hinder effective communication and may necessitate reliance on alternative communication strategies or supports. The nature of IDD can vary widely, influencing how speech develops, but unintelligible speech often remains a significant aspect.

In contrast, clear and articulate speech would typically imply an ability to produce language that is easily understood, which is often not the case for many individuals with IDD. Similarly, engaging in meaningful conversations and using advanced vocabulary and syntax are typically more characteristic of individuals with typical language development rather than those experiencing the challenges associated with IDD. Thus, the prevalence of unintelligible speech is a key characteristic that persists into later stages of life for individuals with IDD.