Building Language in Babies Well Before First Words are Spoken

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In the first few months, babies begin to distinguish the sounds that make up language from all the other sounds they hear. Between 4 - 7 months, "babies can be trained to more effectively recognize which sounds "might" be language, accelerating the development of the brain maps which are critical to language acquisition and processing....Read the full article describing recent research at Rutgers University:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140930171434.htm

Communication Milestones Birth to 5 years

Birth to 3 months:

Does the child:

• make cooing sounds

• have different cries for different needs

• smile at you

• startle to loud sounds

• soothe/calm to a familiar voice

4 to 6 months:

Does the child:

• babble and make different sounds

• make sounds back when you talk

• enjoy games like peek-a-boo

• turn his/her eyes toward a sound source

• respond to music or toys that make noise

7 to 12 months:

Does the child:

• wave hi/bye

• respond to his/her name

• let you know what he/she wants using sounds, and/or actions like pointing

• begin to follow simple directions (e.g., Where is your nose?)

• localize correctly to sound by turning his/her head toward the sound

• pay attention when spoken to

By 12 to 18 months:

Does the child:

• use common words and start to put words together

• enjoy listening to storybooks

• point to body parts or pictures in a book when asked

• look at your face when talking to you

By 18 to 24 months:

Does the child:

• understand more words than he/she can say

• say two words together (e.g., More juice)

• ask simple questions (e.g., What’s that?)

• take turns in a conversation

2 to 3 years:

Does the child:

• use sentences of three or more words most of the time

• understand different concepts (e.g., in-on; up-down)

• follow two-part directions (e.g., take the book and put it on the table)

• answer simple questions (e.g., Where is the car?)

• participate in short conversations

3 to 4 years:

Does the child:

• tell a short story or talk about daily activities

• talk in sentences with adult-like grammar

• generally speak clearly so people understand

• hear you when you call from another room

• listen to TV at the same volume as others

• answer a variety of questions

4 to 5 years:

Does the child:

• pronounce most speech sounds correctly

• participate in and understand conversations even in the presence of background noise

• recognize familiar signs (e.g., stop sign)

• make up rhymes

• hear and understand most of what is said at home and school

• listen to and retell a story and ask and answer questions about a story 

The Power of Imitation for Children with Autism

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Read on about the power of imitation during play:
http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/Follow-the-Leader--The-Power-of-Imitating-Children.aspx

What Is Behaviour Regulation? And What Does It Have To Do With Language Development?

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What Is Behaviour Regulation? And What Does It Have To Do With Language Development?

Scientists identify the gene for emergent language

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"A telltale stretch of DNA at a gene called ROBO2 is linked to the number of words that a child masters in the early stage of talking...  ROBO2 controls a protein that directs chemicals in brain cells that may be used for developing language and producing sounds.The gene lies on a region of Chromosome 3 which has previously been implicated in dyslexia and speech-related disorders, according to the study."   Read more: 

Scientists identify ROBO2, the 'baby talk' gene | Lifestyle from CTV News

How to Use Exercise to Help Kids with ADHD and Kids with Autism

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Research shows that regular vigorous exercise helps kids with ADHD  focus and reduces self-stimulatory behaviour in kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  http://www.educationandbehavior.com/exercise-to-help-kids-with-adhd/

What are the Symptoms of ADHD and How Can You Help?

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 Learn about the signs and symptoms of ADHD:  http://www.educationandbehavior.com/signs-of-adhd/

"My child's speech is hard to understand"

Intelligibility refers to the clarity of speech - how well it can be understood by others.  Typically, children in senior kindergarten are 100% intelligible. They can be understood almost all of the time by familiar and unfamiliar listeners.

Early autism intervention speeds infant development

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In this pilot project, parents of infants between 6 months and 15 months who were demonstrating symptoms of autism, were given strategies to facilitate engagement during play, diaper changing and bath time. Read on to learn about the promising findings:
Early autism intervention speeds infant development - health - 10 September 2014 - New Scientist

Red Flags for Autism

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
• No back and forth sharing of sounds, smiles or facial expressions by 9 months
• No babbling by 12 months
• No back and forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
• No meaningful two-word phrases (including imitating or repeating) by 24 months
• Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age

To read more about the signs and symptoms of autism click on the Link for Autism Speaks Canada:
http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/signs-and-symptoms-of-autism/