Speech and language development

Newborns  Can localize a sound to their right or left side shortly after being born and will turn their head or look in the direction of a sound.  This works best with loud noises when the baby is awake and alert, but they should also be able to hear soft sounds.  They can also begin to smile spontaneously and in response to someone by 1 month. Infants learn to recognize their parents by 1-2 1/2 months.

By 3-6 months Infants can imitate speech sounds By 4-8 months Monosyllabic babbling, or making isolated sounds with vowels and consonants (ba, da, ga, goo, etc) usually begins By 5-9 months Polysyllabic babbling, or repeating vowels and consonants (babababa, lalalalala, etc) usually begins

 By 6-10 months.  Comprehending individual words (mommy, daddy, no) usually occurs  most infants can say mama/dada nonspecifically, using the words as more than just a label for his parents.  Many infants can follow a one step command with a gesture (for example, asking for an object and holding your hand out)  By 7-11 months  By 7-11 months.  He should be able to follow a one step command without a gesture  By 7-12 months  By 7-12 months.  The correct use of mama/dada as a label for a parent usually occurs

 By 9-14 months  The first word (other than mama/dada) is usually spoken  By months  He should be able to point to an object that he wants.  By months  Child will be able to say 4-6 words (other than mama/dada and names of family members or pets)  By months  He should be able to follow a two step command without a gesture

 By months Two word combinations or sentences are used and can include phrases like 'Want milk', 'More juice ‘ Two word combinations or sentences are used and can include phrases like 'Want milk', 'More juice ‘  By months A vocabulary spurt leading to a 50+ word vocabulary occurs A vocabulary spurt leading to a 50+ word vocabulary occurs

In addition to the screening tests described above, Physical therapist may be able to calculate child's motor quotient (MQ), which is his motor age (his age as calculated by what milestones he has met) divided by his chronological age and multiplied by 100. A motor quotient above 70 is considered normal, and between is suspicious and requires further evaluation, although it is probably normal, and below 50 is considered abnormal. For example, if child is 12 months old and has just begun to pull to a stand (motor age of 9 months, the age when most children are pulling to a stand), his MQ would be (9/12)*100 or 75, which is probably normal. On the other hand, if he has just begun to roll over (motor age of 5 months), then his MQ is (5/12)*100 or 42 and this is probably abnormal

Parents are usually the first ones to think that there is a problem with their child's motor, social, and/or speech and language development, and this parental concern should be enough to initiate further evaluation. In addition to a formal hearing test (for children with speech delays), neurological exam (which will look at child's muscle tone, strength, reflexes, coordination, etc), and developmental assessment by their Pediatrician. Children with developmental delays should be referred to an early childhood intervention program (for children under 3). So that an evaluation can be initiated and a treatment plan developed, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and possible speech therapy. He may also need a referral to a Pediatric Neurologist and/or a Developmental Pediatrician for further evaluation and treatment.

Normal Hearing Development in Children

 The first two important years The first two year is the time during which hearing develops in children. It is important for parents to be able to recognize signs of a hearing problem as early as possible and seek medical attention if there are any concerns. Here is a guide of signs of normal hearing development by age through the first 2 years of life:

By 4 months of age a baby should Move or react when someone speaks or in response to any noise. Startle when there is a very loud noise. By seven months a baby should: Turn his/her head towards a voice or a noise (when a parent calls even without being seen). Stir or move in response to a noise or voice. Startle when there is a large sound. By 9 months a baby should: Turn his/her head to find out where a sound is coming from. Turn around if a parent is calling from behind. Stir or move in response to voice or any sound. Startle when there is a very loud noise.

At 12 months a baby should: Turn his/her head in all directions and show an interest in a person's voice or a particular sound. Repeat sounds that parents make. Startle in response to a loud noise. At 2 years of age a child should: Be able to point out a part of his body when asked without seeing that person's lips move. Be able to point to the right picture when asked (for example: Where is the cat? Where is the bird?). Be able to do simple tasks like give you one of his/her toys when asked, without seeing that person's lips move.