What to watch
Look for steady progress in understanding simple requests, using gestures, learning new words and combining words as skills develop. CDC milestone lists are useful observation tools, but they are not a diagnosis.
What helps day to day
- talk about what you and your child are doing;
- read together and pause for your child to point, gesture or answer;
- respond to attempts to communicate instead of repeatedly testing or correcting.
When to ask for help
Seek professional advice if language or social communication stops progressing, previously gained skills are lost, or you are concerned about hearing or interaction.