Combining words together?

[calebsmommy25]

My ds is 21 months and has a very large vocabulary. He speaks very well, and quite clearly for the most part. My concern is that it seems to be difficult for him to combine words together. Whenever we are talking and I try to encourage him to combine he can, but there is a significant pause between the words. I have researched the milestones and checklists of speech, etc. and he seems to be on time or ahead of all, but some say toddlers should start stringing words together by 18 months, some say 2 years.

A bit of background: ds had a stroke within 72 hours of being born. He is our miracle baby. He has had no significant problems or delays related to the stroke, thus far. We did have him in PT from 2 months-14 or 15 months, but more of a preventative measure. Because of his stroke I am always on edge, and very aware of what he is and isn't doing.

So, with all of that being said. He does combine: Oh bang, oh man, oh no, night-night, bye-bye (not sure if they count), other side (side, side), little bit, sciencenter (sci center).

I don't want to compare, because I know all children learn and progress at their own pace. Maybe from hearing where your children are I can gauge what is 'normal'? Idk. I'm thinking of calling our old service coordinator from early intervention. It couldn't hurt, right?

Thanks for listening to my rambling...I have just been really worried lately and needed to get it all out there. At first dp thought there wasn't anything to really worry about, but after me bringing it up, I think he has become a bit concerned too. Any help, suggestions, or experiences would be appreciated. Thanks!

[wembles]

How many words would you say your son uses? Once kiddos reach a vocabulary of between 50-100 words, they generally start to combine them. It seems your son has already started to do so. I would keep modeling short, 1-2 word combos when playing/talking with him, but it seems like he has started the process!

*note--feel free to contact EI if concerned--this isn't meant to be a diagnosis or anything

[calebsmommy25]

Thanks wembles! I started a running list of words last night, and we are at approx 100 right now. I'm keeping it up on my computer and keep running over to add words when I hear them.

Nap time is coming up soon for him, so I think I'll give EI a call...I don't think he would requalify though, but I'm sure she could point me in the right direction.

[LynnS6]

Call EI if it makes you feel comfortable, but he's not behind on his milestones. Was it a left hemisphere or right hemisphere stroke? That might make a difference too, as to whether EI would take him on 'preventatively'.

In general, the average age for combining words is 24 months - you've got 3 months before the average age, and about 5 months before I'd get concerned (or he'd qualify for EI).

The average word count for combining words is more variable than the traditional 50-100 words that is usually taught - some kids combine words with only 50 words, others seem to wait until they have 200-300+ words.

Our ds had about 400 words when he started combining words. Dd had 50. She more or less started with whole phrases while ds was content to do one word at a time. (And for the record, I'd count all of what you've listed as single words - they're all fixed phrases. What counts are combos like 'more juice' or 'read book' or 'where puppy?')

[calebsmommy25]

The stroke affected the left parietal lobe of his brain, which could pose problems with language and speech among other things.

[butterfly_mommy]

Sounds normal to me if not a bit advanced.

DS started to combine words at about 21 mons or so. The first was NO Mama

At 23 mons he strung together his first multi word sentence. After nursing he popped off and said "Nursies are tasty, Apple cider is tasty too" he had to pause a lot between each word.

He still takes a pause between words and about half of his words are hard for people (and me sometimes) to understand. Language develops differently for everyone. I understand how it is easy to be concerned about development, especially when a child has had some hard stuff to deal with, but your DS sounds like he is doing well.

[Friday13th]

My two year old just started combining two words in the last 2 months. I'm not concerned, he's learning new words all the time, talks constantly, and clearly understands what people are saying. He does a lot of "no! down! kitty!" so probably not technically a sentence but he is combining words and stringing thoughts together.

[lisalulu]

DS2 just started doing it-probably at 25 months. And even now there's only a couple he combines-the only one that comes to mind is apple juice but I know there's at least one more.