Child Development Question

[Chandler]

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I have a question on child development. I know that by age 2 a child has about a 250 word vocabulary and can speak in 2 word sentences. Therefore if a child has a vocabulary of 100 words and is starting to use 2 word sentences, can we assume that the child has delayed language?

thanks for the reply

 

[14022]

Personally, I think the size of the vocabulary is irrelevant. How would a physician have any idea about the size of the vocabulary of a 2 year old after a 15-30 minute interaction? Not to mention that the child will most likely be quiet and suspicious for most of the interview and screaming for the entire physical exam. If they are using two word sentences and have a vocabulary that goes beyond simple speech (they can identify common objects, colors, parts of their body, etc.), I think you can assume that they are normal, or at the very least not delayed to the point of concern.

 

[GeneGoddess]

My younger sister never said a word until she was three...because I talked for her! The exact number of words is not always a good predictor. But any kid that didn't talk as much as his/her peers should have a hearing test just in case.

 

[Chandler]

I agree with you guys, however this article seems to imply that if one doesn't meet the developmental milestone for that age, the diagnosis is delayed language. I can't believe that the number of words is used to diagnose someone, this can't be true can it? Anyone else have an opinion on this?

http://www.aafp.org/afp/990600ap/3121.html

 

[WheelMan]

Well, there are children who are just quiet but they are usually good observers, you can never tell what's on their minds...its really up to the parents to nurture them properly coz this is the stage when the child actually starts to learn from their environment.

 

[kristing]

I agree with you guys, however this article seems to imply that if one doesn't meet the developmental milestone for that age, the diagnosis is delayed language. I can't believe that the number of words is used to diagnose someone, this can't be true can it? Anyone else have an opinion on this?

http://www.aafp.org/afp/990600ap/3121.html

I am no authority, as I will just be starting residency this summer, but nothing in that article seemed all that shocking to me. It is so important to diagnose language delay early on to get the kid into the right setting to take care of it.

 

[lazure]

If you're concerned, refer for an assessment by a child psychologist or speech and language therapist. Along with the assessment results, the parents will receive recommendations regarding how to assist their child's language development.
Ask the parents if child's language ability appears delayed in comparison to other children they know of the same age, older siblings when they were that age etc. Does the family speak a second language at home?