She has maybe 15-20 words but she is not putting two words together yet. She understands everything I say and follows directions perfectly. She tries to copy what I say..sometimes she's close but sometimes she's totally off. She grunts and has some basic signs that she uses. Any insight would be appreciated.
2007-09-26 07:21:22 · 7 answers · asked by Amy 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Your daughter appears to be adding expressive vocabulary on a consistent basis and is using gestures, so I wouldn't be terribly concerned at this point.
In order to combine words into 2-word utterances, a child needs an expressive vocabulary of about 50 words. Continue to read age-appropriate books (i.e., "Pat the Bunny"), name everything she sees, and use short sentences with her ("Look at the red firetruck", "here's a yellow banana", etc.). I'm sure she'll continue to develop well.
2007-09-26 09:01:21 · answer #1 · answered by boogeywoogy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give her a little time yet. My twins are now three and at 26 months they weren't stringing words together often at all. Within six months of that (less really) they started talking non-stop....now they never are quiet!
As for the "word count"....are you just counting words that she says that any stranger on the street would understand or are you also counting things that aren't "words" per se, but that she uses consistently to identify something. As an example....until about five months ago, my twins referred to every playground they saw as something that sounded like, "kenya". It definitely wasn't playground, didn't even sound like it....but that was there word for playground. Anything like that can be counted as a word.
If you are concerned, talk to your doctor. He may give you a referral to a speech therapist to have her checked out. It is likely that nothing is wrong, but it might put your mind at ease...and if there is something wrong, she can get help sooner rather than later.
2007-09-26 07:47:57 · answer #2 · answered by mouse_726 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, if you are truly worried, follow your gut and speak to your pediatrician. if you act like it's not a big deal, they will too. you usually have to be forceful with this type of issue, if you want an early intervention referral.
you could also just contact your early intervention specialists through your county for an evaluation. sometimes they require a doctor's referral and sometimes not.
having said all that, I really think she's okay. the fact that she understands what you say is a big deal. she is talking, just not that much.
little language 'explosions' happen and it's amazing.
my son is 29 months and a little over a month ago he went from two word sentences to saying whatever he wanted to say.
give it one month if you are unsure. if you are still worried, contact your doctor.
2007-09-26 07:49:09 · answer #3 · answered by sep 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cousin didn't start talking until he was 3 and he talked in perfect sentences to start off at. On the other hand, my son (16 months) already has about 100 words in his vocabulary and can put 2 words together. I wouldn't be too terribly concerned about it... All children are different. If she is following directions well and trying to imitate you I wouldn't suspect that she has autism. If you are still comcerned, I would definetely ask your pediatrician about it and see what she has to say.
2007-09-26 07:43:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give her some more time. We went through this with my oldest son. At about 2 yrs of age he wasn't talking much, but like your daughter, understood everything and followed directions. We even had his hearing checked to make sure there was no problem there (there wasn't). He just took a little longer to get going with talking (and he hasn't stopped since :P). Relax, consult your physician at your daughter's next appointment if you're still concerned about it :)
2007-09-26 07:37:14 · answer #5 · answered by terlynn_1370 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother was like that too. We waited and waited and finally, we made an appointment with a speech therapist to get him evaluated. They'll tell you what (if anything) needs to be done. He's now 4 and a half, talking very well, and although he is finished with his normal speech therapy, he still goes to a program once or twice a week. So, best thing to do is get it checked out :]
2007-09-26 07:33:09 · answer #6 · answered by Hailey :) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
our doctor said theres no set time for them to talk. apparently my husband didnt talk until he was 3, didnt ned to, mom gave him everything. my own son was just over 2 when i realised he made no effort at all to talk. i went to work and enrolled him in daycare, and within the first month he's learned so many words! i thikn part of it is they dont hAVE to talk, they can point and we give them what they want. plus KJ wouldnt talk becuase i was the only one to talk to, he needed other kids before he wanted to talk to someone. the fact that she understands what you ask of her tells you theres nothing mentally wrong wiht her.she'll talk when she's ready.
2007-09-26 07:29:03 · answer #7 · answered by V. Simpson 1024 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋