Help! My child is not talking!

As a general rule of thumb, a child should express AT LEAST one word by 18 months of age.  By 2 years of age a child should express at least 50 words and combine words (e.g., my ball, push car, help me).  Reach out to a speech-language therapist if your child is not meeting these milestones.  Below are some tips to try in the meantime.

Work on gestures:  

1. Sing songs such as "wheels on the bus" and pause to allow your child an opportunity to use a gesture.
2. Present your child with two items and ask them which item they want.  If they reach or grab for an item model a "point" and have them point to the item they want. 

3. Wave "hi" and "bye" to your child and help them wave "hi" and "bye" to family and toys in play.

Practice using some simple signs:

1. Present your child with a preferred toy with multiple pieces.  Hold some of the pieces to allow your child an opportunity to ask for "more".  Model the sign for "more" and help them sign it as well.  Immediately reinforce by giving them "more" of the toy.

2. Put preferred toys in a box.  Give the box to your child.  When they hand it back to you to open- model the sign for "open" and help them sign "open".  Then immediately open the box.

3. When you are at the park model "up up up" when your child goes up the ladder and point up with your finger.  When your child goes down the slide say "down down down" and point down.  When your child gets used to the routine you can pause your child at the bottom of the ladder or top of the slide and see if your child says/signs "up" or "down".