1-2 Years

• Understands names of family members (signed or spoken)

• Points to self and objects in the environment

• Follows one-step directions

• Answers "where" and "what" questions about items within the immediate environment

• Identifies some body parts when requested

• Finds familiar objects not in sight

• Identifies some clothing, toys and food

• Identifies objects in the immediate physical context on request

• Understands vocabulary for categories

• Responds to yes/no questions with a head shake or "no"

• Responds to simple commands (sit down)

• Chooses two familiar objects

• Comprehends action phrases

• Understands personal pronouns (mine, yours, me)

• Responds to "what" questions

• Points to pictures named on a page.

• Attends to simple stories

• By 24 months understands 250-300 words

ASL

• Recognizes own sign name with ease

• Recognizes name signs of family members

• Identifies pictures, animals, and objects in the environment upon request

• Understands new signs each week

Spoken Language

• Recognizes spoken family names

• Understands new words each week

• Searches for objects names that are not present

• Identifies an object from a group

• Follows single step directions

• Understands a few simple verbal question forms

• Uses single words consistently

• Continues to use jargon and babbling with more true words developing

• Imitates, repeats and approximates new words

• Uses single words + a gesture

• Imitates more words

• Vocabulary of 10+ meaningful words

• Uses words like no, more and mine

• Begins to use two word phrases

• Identifies objects and actions in pictures

• Uses personal pronouns appropriately (me, my, mine)

• Combines words with gestures for requests (WHERE 'mommy'?)

• Attempts to tell stories about experiences

• May ask 'what' and 'where' questions

• By 24 months uses 2 word phrases with nouns and some verbs and adjectives

• Has an expressive vocabulary of 50+ words by age 2

• Asks to be read to.

ASL

• First ASL signs using simple handshapes C, A, S, 1, and/or 5

• Begins to uses gestures to communicate (COME HERE)

• Communicates wants (SLEEPY, HUNGRY, THIRSTY)

• Begins to form 2 words phrases (EAT MORE)

• Gestures begin to become more consistent with ASL

Spoken Language

• Uses up to 7 spoken words consistently

• Incorporates pausing and intonation into jargon

• Produces early consonants, /b/, /m/, /n/, /t/, /d/, and /w/

• Uses exclamatory expressions (uh-oh, no-no)

• May decrease the use of gestures and begin more consistent use of verbal words to communicate

• Omits final sounds, uses simple versions of adult words

• Verbally requests and protests

• Initiates a verbal interaction

• Responds to simple request for clarification

• Imitates the actions of others

• Naturally takes 1-2 turns in a conversation as language develops

• Involves others by showing things during play

• Prefers to be with familiar people

• Shows caution with strangers

• Imitates other children

• Begins to repeat what was stated

• Uses language to get the attention of others

• Requests books

• Begins to understand how books are used

• Pretends to read books

• Recognizes favorite book

ASL

• Begins to use name signs to refer to others

• Repeats what others sign

Spoken Language

• Uses intonation, pointing, and single words to make requests

• Verbally requests and protests

• Initiates verbal interaction

• Responds to simple requests for clarification

• Enjoys simples stories and rhymes