Early intervention is the key to success!
During the early years of your child's life your child’s brain is developing extremely fast and it is during this critical learning phase that your child's language skills are developed. Since most of your child's language learning happens in those early years, early intervention is critically important for children with language delays to develop the communication skills necessary for future success in their academic and personal lives. Research also shows that the earlier a child receives the extra language support they need, the more effective the therapy will be.
But doesn't every child develop at their own rate?
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You’ve probably heard the popular advice to “wait and see” because “children are all different and develop at their own rate." While this is true, there is also a downside because a “wait and see” approach means that precious time can be lost during this critical learning phase. And while it is true that all children are different, research also shows that there are certain skills that mark the progress of a young child’s development of communication skills, we often call these milestones. These skills are commonly developed in children and can be predicted around certain age ranges. If these expected skills don’t appear to develop during the listed age ranges, they could be at risk for ongoing delays.
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What should I expect?
So yes, all children develop at their own rate, but we have expected ranges for which the development of communication skills should happen. These age ranges are intentionally broad because young children’s development has a lot of variation and flexibility, which helps give each child time to develop at their own rate. Although each milestone has a certain age level, the actual age when a typically developing child reaches that milestone can vary quite a bit.But as a parent, it's important for you to understand that milestones and averages are different.
Milestones capture 90% of what children are doing at a certain age, whereas averages are capturing 50% of what children are doing at that age.
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For example,
A 2 year old milestone (90% of similar age children) is for children to be using 50 words, whereas the the average (50% of similar age children) 2 year old is using approximately 300 + words and combining 2 words together.
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Speech-Language Pathologists sometimes go with the averages, and others follow the expected milestones. The reason some therapists use the average is not to worry parents, but because we know that sometimes speech and language gets looked over, with common phrases such as "my cousin didn't speak until she was three and spoke in full sentences." While these scenarios may be true, what isn't mentioned is the potential future academic difficulties that can arise from speech and language delays. So by going with averages, we hope to encourage parents to be more active in getting their child the help they need.
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Don't wait to get help if you are concerned!
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Below the average range where FEW children develop a skill at a certain age. These would include children who would be in the "late" range to develop a skill.
Around the average range, when MOST children develop a skill at a certain age. Most children reach milestones before they're expected to.
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Above the average range, when a QUARTER of children develop a skill at a certain age. This would be in the "early" range to develop a skill
How Many Words Should My Child Have?
Age
Milestone
Average
Above Average
12 months
1 word
5 + words
14+ words
18 months
10 words
50+ words
170+ words
2 years
50 words
300 words & combining 2 words together
440 + words
3 years
250 words
1000 words & combining 3 words together
no available norms
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
​Below are some communication skills you can expect to see as your child grows:
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Speech delays and disorders including apraxia, dysarthria, developmental articulation/phonology and motor speech disorders"Speech refers to the way we say sounds and words. Specifically, how we make speech sounds using the mouth, lips, and tongue. As children develop, sometimes they have problems making certain sounds, which can make their speech difficult to understand. Although it is normal for children to make mistakes as they learn to speak, some children may have consistent speech sound difficulties that can last longer than expected.
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Receptive Language Delays and/or DisordersThis refers to what words mean. Children understand language well before they are able to communicate using words and sentences. Receptive language development refers to your child’s ability to understand words (vocabulary). A delay or difficulty in comprehension/understanding can often lead to difficulty following directions and instructions.
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Expressive Language Delays and/ or DisordersExpressive language refers to the ability to communicate using words, sentences and/or gestures. Also making new words to mean something different for example we can use the word "friend" and slightly change to make it mean something different such as "friendly" and "unfriendly." Expressive language also refers to the ability to use appropriate grammar and sentence structure, which helps us to know what to say at different times. Your child may have an expressive language disorder or delay if he or she uses fewer words than his or her peers, uses language that doesn't quite fit the situation, and/or has difficulties conveying their message either verbally or in writing. Expressive language problems may impact your child’s ability to express him or herself in an organized and meaningful way, which has been shown in the research to potentially interfere with academic and social success.
Contact Us
If you think your child might not developing communication skills around the age ranges listed, your child may benefit from intervention to develop these skills. If you are concerned about your child’s development, we recommend that you seek support by talking to your child’s pediatrician or family doctor, or make an appointment to see a speech-language pathologist or SLP for an assessment
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References:
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Fenson, L., Marchman, V. A., Thal, D. J., Dale, P. S., Reznick, J. S., & Bates, E. (2007). MacArthur-Bates communicative development inventories (2nd ed.). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). CDC’s Developmental Milestones. Retrieved on August 20, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
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Language development: Speech milestones for babies. Mayo Clinic website. Retrieved on August 20, 2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/language-development/art-20045163
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American Speech- Language- Hearing Association (ASHA). Typical speech and language development. ASHA website. Retrieved August 20, 2020 from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development.
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Caring for Kids- Canadian Pediatric Society: Growing and Learning. CPS website. Retrieved on August 20, 2020 from https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/your_childs_development.
Contact Us:
Contact Us:
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Email: danielleboaden@gmail.com
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Phone: 905-691-1746
Service Areas:
Where we offer services:
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Receptive and expressive Language delays and disorders
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Speech delays and disorders including apraxia, dysarthria, developmental articulation/phonology and motor speech disorders
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Communication disorders related to autism, developmental delays, and learning disabilities
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Pre-literacy and literacy skills including phonological awareness, decoding and reading comprehension
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Voice and resonance disorders
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Preschool stuttering
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and many more!
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In home
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In childcare settings
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via telepractice
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Even grandpa's house!