18 month Speech and Language milestones
Help! My 18 month old just grunts for everything!!
If you have a child around 18 months, this blog is all for you. I will cover typical milestones, how to help your child, and signs you may need to reach out to an SLP. First, let’s start out with what is typical at this age. Remember, language is a process. Your child may not have everything on this list, but it should give you a starting point and skills to work on around this age.
Expressive milestones:
-Says at least 10 words (avg is 50)
-Imitates words
-Uses jargon (sentence like intonation)
-Vocalizes with gestures
-Answers basic “what” questions
-Says no/shakes head
-Names a few animal sounds
-Points to show items
Receptive milestones:
-Follows one-step commands without gestures
-Points to target object
-Identifies 1-3 body parts
-Identify 2 or more objects in book
-Demonstrates functional play (using more than one toy approp.)
-Copies simple pretend play
3 things to help your child’s language:
-Model words with a pause after them. Give your child a change to process the word, imitate, or use a gesture or sound to communicate.
-Speak at their level. If they are using 1 word answers, reply back in 2-3 word phrases that they can imitate or produce back. If they are starting to use 2 word phrases, reply back in 2-4 word phrases. If we are constantly using long drawn out strings of language. It’s hard for our children to imiate and produce back!
Ex: Child playing with cars, “car up”
Mom: “weeeee” “Car goes up”
-Engage in LOTS of pretend play. Grab a baby doll and play. Target words such as “eat, yum, spoon, feed, diaper, drink, jump, wipe, open, close, cup”.
Signs you may need to reach out to an SLP or talk to your child’s pediatrician:
I don’t like to use the term “red flag”. It’s very alarming and indicative that something is WRONG. Your child just may need a little boost or they may be processing language a little differently. Let’s meet them where they are.
-Your child is primarily babbling still
-They use only 2-3 words (including gestures)
-Limited number of consonants
-They are not engaging in pretend play or using objects symbolically
-Not following simple directions
-Not responding to name
