How do I know if my 13-18 month-old has a language delay?

Goodbye baby, hello toddler! Now that you’ve passed the big leap into toddlerhood, it’s a great time to track your child's communication and language development, which should be changing rapidly over this next year. We have briefly summarized some of the major communication milestones that most typically developing children master between the ages of 13-18 months. Under each skill listed, we provide some basic strategies that parents can use to more easily determine if their child has met these early speech and language milestones.

The following communication milestones were adapted from the American Speech Language & Hearing Association website, CDC.gov website as well as the Rosetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale:

13-18 Months: Typical Language Milestones

Receptive Language - How your child understands language

Receptive Vocabulary: Understands single words and 2-word phrases in context

At this age, a child should understand frequently used single words in context (e.g. meaning the object is there) including nouns (e.g. cup, milk), familiar people (e.g. daddy) and some action words (e.g. eat). They should also be able to identify a few body parts when named.

Tip: Point to objects and images as you name them to help your child learn this skill. For instance, while reading with your child, point to pictures of familiar objects while you say their names. Then, let your child have a turn by naming the object and pausing to see if your child points to the corresponding picture.

Understands ‘Where’ Questions

By 18 months old, most children should comprehend 'where' questions.

Tip: Pose a straightforward 2-3 word question to your child (such as “Where is baby?”) to observe if they search for and/or find a familiar object in the same room as you. Avoid glancing at the mentioned object (keep your eyes on your child) to see if your child looks around when asked ‘Where’s + noun?”

Following Directions - Your child should begin to follow simple one-step directions that are not part of your daily routine, by the age of 15 months

Tip: Ensure you have your child's attention before giving simple commands, using short 2-word phrases like: give me, wash cup. To capture your child's attention, position yourself at their level by kneeling or sitting down so you are face-to-face. Conduct this activity in a room with minimal distractions (e.g., away from the TV/iPad, other family members, and out of sight of your child's toys) or during a time when they are also seated, such as during bath-time or right after they have had a snack and are still in their high-chair.

Expressive Language – How is your child using language to communicate with others?

Uses Common Gestures:

At this stage, your child should start pointing and use some gestures to make requests and to communicate their basic needs. They should also begin using and imitating common gestures they observe in your household, such as 'clapping', giving a 'high-five', and waving 'hi/bye'. Additionally, toddlers at this age should be able to shake their head to signify 'no' and nod for 'yes' in response to simple 'Yes/No' questions (e.g., "Do you want milk?").

Says around 10-15 single words:

While many of the initial words your toddler says will be mispronounced and simpler versions of the word (e.g., “da” for cat, “ee” for eat), they should consistently use these word approximations in context without needing adult prompting or modeling. At this stage, toddlers should also start attempting to mimic words and sounds (such as animal or vehicle sounds) that adults use.

Tip: We recommend families keep a “Common First Words” list in a common room in their house (e.g. on fridge), where family members can ‘check-off’ first words that they hear their child say (e.g. during play, when making requests etc.). This is extremely helpful for caregivers and professionals to better determine what types of words the child knows as well as the words that they may not yet use or understand. Here is an example of a free Spanish/English First Words checklist that you can download, from Speech and Language at Home.

Uses a combination of babbling and single words during play:

At this stage, your child should be exploring variations in intonation, pitch, and volume while babbling, and should be producing a variety of consonant and vowel sounds. Common early consonant sounds you might hear your toddler use during babbling include ‘H, P, B, D, M, N, W.’ This phase of babbling is also referred to as ‘jargon' or 'jargon-like speech', because it resembles your child speaking their own language.

When reviewing milestone checklists, it’s important to remember that every child is unique and children may develop some of these skills a few months earlier or later than the ‘expected’ age range. These milestones are meant to be a general guideline for parents, based on the typical stages of language development observed in children. If parents have specific questions or concerns about any of these communication skills, it is recommended that they consult with their Pediatrician and/or a licensed Speech Language Pathologist.

ABOUT US:

Sunny Spot Speech provides private speech therapy services and evaluations for kids in home, online, at your child's preschool, daycare, private school, or at another community location throughout Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. We have an incredible and growing team of bilingual (Spanish and English speaking) Los Angeles based Speech Language Pathologists who are knowledgeable in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of communicative disorders, including (but not limited to) children with Language Disorders and Developmental Delays, Hearing Loss, AAC users, Fluency disorders, Articulation and Phonological Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and Gestalt Language Processors.

We are accepting new pediatric speech therapy clients in the following Los Angeles locations: Northridge, Granada Hills, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, San Fernando, Valley Village, Burbank, Calabasas.

Contact us for a free phone consultation if you’re concerned about your child’s speech, language or communication abilities: Phone: 818-350-3107 or Email: info@sunnyspotspeech.com.