Is Your 12-18 Month Old Progressing Well?

Author : Mahasri Das

Published : 2023, November 28 (3 min read)

Do you ever wonder if your child is picking up language correctly? Are you worried how much your child tries to speak is just below expectation? Or are you just over-stressed? Take the test and find out whether your child is above or below the expected threshold.

Understanding marks the initial stride in the right direction. Each month, we assist hundreds of children in successfully overcoming developmental challenges.

Introduction

Every age range in the early years of a child marks an important speech milestone.

The 12 - 18 months age range is a special one. Why? Because the expected speech milestone is, “The first meaningful word of a child.” It marks the age at which the child can -

• Expression

  • Babble minimum 4 different consonants

  • Imitate speech sounds

  • Communicates via gestures or pushing/pulling

  • Speak minimum one meaningful word

  • Answer basic question verbally or non-verbally

  • Label 2 or 3 objects/people

  • Imitate words

• Reception

  • Anticipates events

  • Visually follows different movements

  • Understands what is “NO”

  • Understands other specific sounds (except NO)

  • Attention span is minimum 2 minutes

  • Follows simple directions with cues

  • Identifies familiar objects & family members

How to find out whether my child needs therapy?

Assign 1 point for every “yes” you mention to the 14 points highlighted above.

Is the total score more than or equal to 50% i.e. 7 points? 🙂

Your child is currently following a normal language development pattern. It's important to consistently monitor their progress and maintain ongoing communication. Regular interaction significantly enhances language development during the crucial first five years of a child's life.

Is the total score below 50% i.e. 7 points? 😣

There's a potential concern that your child might be experiencing a delay in language development. Creating a language-rich environment is crucial for natural speech learning. The more exposure to language, the faster your child may reach expected developmental milestones. We recommend consulting with a Speech Language Therapist for a personalized therapy plan. Additionally, stay tuned to our page for valuable tips on fostering language development.

Final Thoughts

It is absolutely empirical for us to closely monitor our child's speech development; this not only supports their current growth but also nurtures their future confidence.