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​Post #1: Normal Language Development: A Model

Author-Avatar Jennifer Kent-Walsh & Cathy Binger

9/19/2016 3:43 PM

Today, we’ll start by presenting a broad overview of normal language development. As you see in the “Communication and Language Development: Broad Overview” visual, prelinguistic children develop pragmatic skills first. This is followed by the onset of first words, which marks the beginning of semantics, and early word combinations mark the beginning of syntax.

Two major points to remember:

1. Typically developing children learn complex language when they are very young!

  • 18 months: Two-word combinations begin (i.e., syntax)
  • 19-26 months: Grammatical morphemes emerge (e.g., -ing on running; -ed on walked)
  • 24 months: Expressive vocabulary of ~150-300 words
  • 36 months: Expressive vocabulary of ~900-1,000 words


2. Although the language domains start off successively (pragmatics, then semantics, then syntax), all domains are developing simultaneously by the time the typically developing child is 2 years old.


AAC Applications: We’ll leave you with this thought for the day: Is it possible for some of our young children who need AAC to reach these same milestones? Should they have same opportunities to explore all language domains early in life?

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Dr. Samuel Sennott - 11/10/2016

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Cathy and Jennifer, This is a very cool pdf. Thanks for sharing it.

Dr. Samuel Sennott - 11/10/2016

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