Ask:
We're starting to have some concerns with my 21 month ds's lack of speech (he currently has about 5 words and 25 signs). When counting the number of words that he uses, how liberal are you when determining if something counts as words or not? For instance, he says "mama" clearly. I count that as one of his words. On the other hand, for "spoon" he says "ooo" and for keys, cheese and please he says "eez"...I haven't counted any of those as words.
So I guess that my question is this: Do you count what they say as a word even if it is not being said clearly and couldn't be understood by others? Or, does the very fact that he attempts to make the sound of the word count?
Thanks!
Answer:
I wonder the same thing. My 15 month old says, mom, dada, uh oh, ball, and Isaac (our dog) very well. But he also says ba for book (different sounding than ball) and duh for duck. I'm given him credit for those words. I wouldn't worry though, all babies develope at different rates, did you see that article in Parenting magazine last month about all the babies at 10 months and how different they are. It was really eye opening to me that I shouldn't be so worried about the timelines of these milestones.
Answer:
but a 21 month not saying a whole lot of words is more normal than one who does!
My eldest was exceptional and started speaking at 12 months, then DD Ellis was awful with his speech and never really spoke till he was 2! Summer is much the same Age as yours and her vocabulary is limited.
Anyway people gte too hung up on what 'the books' say. If your child can understand you and at times you can undertsnad what he means then you are all doing just great. DOnt be too quick to diagnose a problem. And sounds counts as words as then you know the little one realises what the word is and is making an effort.
Hope this helps a little.
please dont worrk once your DS reaches 2 you wil see a huge difference
Answer:
I would count anything that is close and has a meaning to it. He knows what he is trying to say...it is not a random sound that he is making. That makes it a word. It is communication. Sometimes they make up words, but they count, too. For example, my son Carson called his grandpa, Bahgy. Don't know where he got it, but it is the word that he used every time he saw or talked about my father. It counted as a word to me. Your son is doing fine. Just keep encouraging his verbal skills. Read books to him and point to a pic...ask him what it is. When he doesn't answer, you say the word for him and go on. It won't be long before he is saying it before you even ask him. Do that at the store, in the yard, while playing....wherever. It will come so fast.