| Many parents of toddlers start to feel concerned | | | | method. Very briefly, it is a way to systematically |
| when their children aren't talking like others their | | | | reduce the length of what you say to her from a |
| age. It is reasonable and wise to be taking a close | | | | full sentence (which is a good way to start |
| look. Here's a quick summary of what I would | | | | because this is normal and natural for an adult to |
| suggest a parent do to address concerns about a | | | | do and it helps to keep building her knowledge |
| 12 to 24-month-old child's limited vocabulary and | | | | about language), to a phrase, to a two-word |
| communication abilities: | | | | combination, to a key word, and sometimes to a |
| -Be sure she is hearing. Has her hearing been | | | | sound. Pausing helps to give her an opportunity to |
| evaluated in the past year? | | | | jump in and copy if she is ready to. There are |
| -Monitor how well he is understanding you. Does | | | | lots of nuances to this method which can't be |
| he understand the names of most common | | | | conveyed in this brief article. You can also build up |
| things in his life (names, items, places, things to | | | | in the other direction from a key word, to a |
| do)? | | | | two-word combination, to a phrase, to a |
| -How willing is she to imitate what you say to her | | | | sentence. |
| (imitating of her own free will vs when you ask | | | | -Reduce the number of direct questions you ask |
| her to try to say something)? | | | | him. Start by first monitoring how often you and |
| -Does he try to communicate with you in other | | | | your spouse or other important adults ask him |
| ways other than using speech (pointing, looking, | | | | questions. Many parents report it's about 80% |
| using other gestures, taking you to things?) | | | | questions vs 20% statements. This is normal, but |
| -Keep a log of what you notice about her | | | | it isn't as helpful when a child is struggling to |
| communication on a regular basis (daily or weekly). | | | | acquire speech-language skills, especially if there is |
| Even though you think you will remember the | | | | a motor speech production/articulation difficulty. I |
| new thing she did or said, you will forget | | | | suggest aiming for about 80% statements and |
| (everyone does forget over time). A log helps | | | | 20% questions. There are lots of reasons for this |
| you look back to observe change over time. | | | | which you can learn about. Once you learn to use |
| -Start looking around and asking about local | | | | this technique, you can use it very naturally all day |
| resources. If he isn't doing much better by age 24 | | | | long for your child's benefit. |
| months, that would be a good time for an | | | | -Spend lots of time together playing and having |
| evaluation by a speech-language pathologist. For a | | | | fun, putting a lot of emphasis on communication |
| younger child, it would also give you some months | | | | interaction. |
| to try increasing your helpful stimulation with him | | | | -Read and learn new ideas about ways to |
| to see if he starts to pick up skills more quickly | | | | stimulate speech-language skill development to use |
| than he has been. | | | | with your child. |
| -To add to what you are already doing with your | | | | Enjoy this wonderful toddler stage of |
| child to build her skills, consider making more | | | | development and do all you can to focus in on |
| natural statements with her. I have labeled one of | | | | what helps your child grow and progress into new |
| the methods I use the Upside-Down Pyramid | | | | skills. |