Red Flags for Speech and Language Development at 18 Months:
If your child is having trouble with any of the following you should seek an assessment by a speech-language therapist or other professional who works with child development.
- No Joint Attention – doesn’t look at what you point at – doesn’t share looks back and forth.
- Isn’t pointing at things he/she wants.
- Using less than 3 gestures.
- Can’t point to at least 3 major body parts.
- Doesn’t respond to name.
- Doesn’t understand simple commands like “Don’t Touch”.
- Doesn’t point to pictures in a book.
- Using less than 4 consonant sounds.
- Was a “quiet” baby. Didn’t Babble, isn’t using Jargon.
- Doesn’t try to imitate words.
- Saying less than 20 words.
If the only concern is that your child isn’t saying many words yet then he may be a “late talker”. This is when children have all of the skills needed to talk but are still not yet saying words. Late talking is a bit less of a concern but should be monitored closely. If you don’t see progress then seek help.
I hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any questions. You can reach through my Contact Page or email me at SLP@Speech-Therapyathome.com.
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