Objective To investigate the differences of language abilities between children with developmental delay(DD)and those with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)aged 3-6 years,and to provide references for clinical differential diagnosis and subsequent rehabilitation therapy.Methods In this study,61 cases of DD children and 61 cases of ASD chil-dren were selected.The language ability of children was assessed using the"Children's Language Ability Assessment Stand-ards and Methods",which evaluated grammar,comprehension,expression and communication abilities.Results Children with DD showed better comprehension and social skills but weaker grammar and expressive abilities.Children with ASD generally had lower levels in all language areas.There was no significant difference in the average language ability or expres-sive ability the two groups(P＞0.05),but the language comprehension ability and communication ability of the ASD group were significantly lower than those of the DD group(P＜0.05).The grammar ability of the ASD group was higher than that of the DD group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The levels of different language areas of children with DD and ASD children are significantly different.Language ability tests can assist in the differential diagnosis of DD and ASD children,and provide reference for language rehabilitation training.

Objective To investigate the differences of language abilities between children with developmental delay(DD)and those with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)aged 3-6 years,and to provide references for clinical differential diagnosis and subsequent rehabilitation therapy.Methods In this study,61 cases of DD children and 61 cases of ASD chil-dren were selected.The language ability of children was assessed using the"Children's Language Ability Assessment Stand-ards and Methods",which evaluated grammar,comprehension,expression and communication abilities.Results Children with DD showed better comprehension and social skills but weaker grammar and expressive abilities.Children with ASD generally had lower levels in all language areas.There was no significant difference in the average language ability or expres-sive ability the two groups(P＞0.05),but the language comprehension ability and communication ability of the ASD group were significantly lower than those of the DD group(P＜0.05).The grammar ability of the ASD group was higher than that of the DD group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The levels of different language areas of children with DD and ASD children are significantly different.Language ability tests can assist in the differential diagnosis of DD and ASD children,and provide reference for language rehabilitation training.