Juicy Juice | My daughter is 16 months old and does not talk at all. She communicates with us and her older sister by pointing. Is this normal?

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My daughter is 16 months old and does not talk at all. She communicates with us and her older sister by pointing. Is this normal?

- Susan, Fresno, CA

Debbie Drown, Educator, Principal, says:

All children begin speaking at different ages and 16 months is still within the normal range for beginning language. Here are a few tips:
1) Each time your child points at something that she wants, ask her to use her words or ask her what she wants rather than just giving it to her.
2) Notice if your child is making noises that sound like words and if she is making the same "sound" each time she wants something. Example – "ook" or "boo" for book. These are called approximations and are normal in children this age.
3) Repeat the word the correct way and praise her for using the word.
4) Most school systems have early intervention screening services that are either free or relatively low in cost. If your child is not using any words or speech by 24 months, contact your local school system and ask if they have such services.

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Posted on: 4/21/2008 5:17 PM

Posted by: ROXANNE N

City: LAPORTE

ok so I see your not a doc so you do want criticism. ok no problem I will go were I can get real help not just someone who want to be a want to be

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Posted on: 2/8/2008 1:37 PM

Posted by: lauren o

City: midway park

In my family there are five children and all of us except the youngest were fine with speaking. The youngest had to go to speech and the pathologist told us that often times the youngest children don't use their words because they know the older ones already know what they want by just pointing and grunting. Maybe you could also try working with your older children to help them get the youngest to talk?

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Posted on: 10/17/2007 3:13 PM

Posted by: Marcie

City: MANHATTAN BEACH

Great advice... love that it comes from someone with real life experience!

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