18 months- too few words?

Hi Everyone-

Any tips on how to speed along DS's language? He babbles a TON and but only has about 6 words.

Often though- he uses the "Point and grunt" to communicate. I am trying to get him to use words instead and have not made any progress. I narrate my whole day and repeat every word I want him to say- no luck.

Receptive language is not an issue- he understands everything.



TIA!

Re: 18 months- too few words?

Between 17 and 18 months is when DS started picking up his first words other than dada.

My DS probably didn't have many more words than your DS at that age. He is now 22 months and is starting to repeat pretty much everything he hears. He really has exploded in his word bank since 18 months. My ped told me it's not always about how many words they have, as long as they are making progress.

Re: 18 months- too few words?

my ped said 6 words is "normal" for 18 months. Kaydyn up until about 6 weeks ago had very few words and all of a sudden she exploded with a whole bunch of words. We do the same thing...we keep narrating everything. She will be 18 months in a couple of days. I feel like at some point they just get it and you will see an explosion of words.

Re: 18 months- too few words?

Thats normal for an 18 mnth old. My son had no babbling and no words at 18-19 months. At our speech evaluation they stated even 1 word at 18 months is normal.

Re: 18 months- too few words?

I think you will see a big word explosion between now and 2 years.

This is what is happening with DD-we are starting to understand so much more of what she says.

Re: 18 months- too few words?

6 words and babbling is completely normal.

Re: 18 months- too few words?

My ped wanted to send DS to EI at 15 mos b/c he didn't really say mamma, dadda much. He babbled a lot.

I called EI - they said b/c of his other developmental advances he'd pass the test, to call back at 18 mos b/c then there are 2 tests, verbal and develpmental.

I bought DS some flash cards. I tried to use them to get him to say ball, cat, dog. I gave him the tractor b/c it was a big word and thought it as a little advanced - so he loved that card - and now he says, "actor". He also cries, points and walks to what he wants now. He'll be 18 mos on 8/1.

He drinks from his bup, he eats ookies, play with my mom's dog 9'er (nanor) says bubbe (grandma's name)

He can repeat dog, cat, shoooes, and a few other words if he wants to. He totally understand you - you ask him where his head is, what the dog says and he'll say ruff.

If you still feel uncomfortable, call you ped/EI. I think its normal but I'm no expert.

HTH

Re: 18 months- too few words?

Thanks everyone!

DH is the one who is more concerned, not me. DS is a very verbal child- always "chatting" and trying to engage people. We just do not understand about 95% of what he says!

Maybe I will try the flashcards..

Re: 18 months- too few words?

Flashcards: I got "First Words" or something like that at Borders - 20 cards/ $12. They are a little more strudy. DS likes to take them out and put them back in the box. We use this as a way to try to get thim to talk also.

I found some cheaper ones at Target $1 bins but they are very cheap and ds still likes to bend them. Then he gets frusterated when he tries to put them in the box.

Maybe try some teacher stores.

We also put about 6 cards on the floor/table and tell him to get us the "cat" - then we repeat cat a few times and then ask him what the cat says.

The borders cards have a parent card with teaching ideas on it.