• Knowledgebase: Behavioral, Developmental, and Emotional Problems

    Questions about behavioral and emotional problems, Autism, developmental delays.

    13. My 18 month old only says 2 words. - Top

    My daughter is 18 months old and only says 2 words; should I worry T.L.H.

    A: The average 18 month old child says 15 words. However, many children who will eventually speak normally will say less than 15 words at this age because they communicate with grunts and pointing but not with words. Language has two components: Expressive language (the spoken word) and Receptive 1anguage (the hearing and understanding of words). Children who have age appropriate Receptive language can hear and understand words and will usually go on to have normal Expressive language development. To assess Receptive language, only verbal clues can he given and no visual clues (like pointing) I usually ask parents if their child will follow a verbal instruction such as “go pick up the ball” without their eyes looking at the ball or pointing at the ball. If an 18 month old can do this, they have goad Receptive language. I then encourage parents to have their children attempt to use words rather than grunting and pointing to obtain things. If a child has delayed Receptive language, they should be concerned about either hearing or cognitive problems.

    - Updated: March 23, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP