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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

16 month old talks in sentences, counts and picks out words in stories

196 replies

Ophuchi · 25/07/2011 15:39

Hello. I'm new here and wondered if other mums have had children who have developed these skills so young. My 16 month old daughter talks very clearly in short sentences, can count and knows how many objects - not just saying numbers. She also started pointing at words in stories and telling me what they said at 14 months.

I only know 4 other mums with kids the same age, all of whom are non-verbal or only saying a couple of words and just want to know if my little one is within the normal range of development. One of the other mothers I mentioned thinks there might be something 'wrong' with my daughter. In my heart I feel she is 'normal' just quick mentally.

She also crawled at 14 months and walked at 16 months so not quick at everything whereas the other 16 month olds we know were all early walkers.

Also wondering whether me being at home with her all day one-to-one has an effect. Other 4 mums all work full time, kids in nursery.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ophuchi · 01/09/2011 12:30

Thank you MummyNic, everything's still fine at the moment so we're hoping it will all go to plan this time. There are lots of lovely, helpful people here. Thanks to you all.

cjn27b - We have spoken about hyperlexia earlier in the thread. She doesn't appear to have it according to our GP. Thanks anyway.

OP posts:

WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 27/09/2011 12:40

I wondered if your friend is thinking that your DD might have savant syndrome?

Original poster

Ophuchi · 27/09/2011 14:07

Hi WhoseGotMyEyebrows. I just googled savant syndrome as I wasn't aware of the condition. DD doesn't appear to have any mental or physical disabilities which go hand in hand with savant syndrome.

Physically she has come on in leaps and bounds in the last couple of months, climbing up ladders in the park etc.

As it turns out my friend was worried that my daughter had Autism after she heard her count out twenty-odd 'swings' in the park as she felt that was very unusual for a 16 month old having had 5 children herself. Our GP doesn't think this is the case.

I've never mentioned the reading to anyone in real life bar DH and grandparents who have noticed as I gathered it was a bit out of the ordinary. You mentioned on another thread that you have friends whose children are doing the same though, and others have said this too, so perhaps she's not that unusual after all :)

OP posts:

WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 27/09/2011 14:30

Yes that's what I thought - that she would think she was Autistic seeing as Autism and Savantism come together (ie. like "Rainman"). I don't think there is any link with physical abilities at all but I could be wrong.

I'm not saying your DD has this by the way, just what you friend might be thinking. Don't think ASD can be diagnosed until they are 3ish (again could be wrong)

You mentioned on another thread that you have friends whose children are doing the same though - Did I?

A bit about it . . .

Savant syndrome, sometimes referred to as savantism, is a rare condition in which people with developmental disorders have one or more areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance that are in contrast with the individual's overall limitations. Although not a recognized medical diagnosis, researcher Darold Treffert says the condition may be either genetic or acquired.

According to Treffert, about half of all people with savant syndrome have autistic disorder, while the other half have another developmental disability, mental retardation, brain injury or disease. He says, "... not all autistic people have savant syndrome and not all people with savant syndrome have autistic disorder". Other researchers state that autistic traits and savant skills may be linked, or have challenged conclusions about savant syndrome as being based on information not verified independently.

Though it is even rarer than the savant condition itself, some savants have no apparent abnormalities other than their unique abilities. This does not mean that these abilities weren't triggered by a brain dysfunction of some sort but does temper the theory that all savants are disabled and that some sort of trade-off is required.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savant_syndrome for more info

Original poster

Ophuchi · 27/09/2011 14:42

Thanks eyebrows, that's very interesting. Yes, I'm sure your right about ASD diagnosis - our GP said that she wasn't displaying traits typical of Autism. It's not something we've ruled out completely, our GP just thinks it's unlikely looking at her now.

I'm sorry, perhaps I've gotten my wires crossed there, I thought you'd heard of friends' children reading early too. It was probably somebody else.

OP posts:

WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 27/09/2011 14:50

I think we spoke on another thread where you said your DD knows 200 words or something, that might be where you recognise my name from. I do know some that read early, but not that early.

Does she recognise the words independently or from her favourite books? I'm wondering if she might have an amazing memory?

Original poster

Ophuchi · 27/09/2011 14:56

Yes, she just picks them out when we're looking at stories. She can pick words she knows out of a new story. I've lost count of how many she recognises now but it'd be a couple of hundred anyway.

She can tell me about things that happened a few weeks ago too, I don't know if that's normal or not though but she certainly has a good memory!

OP posts:

Wimminsinit · 27/09/2011 15:00

Ophuchi, I just thought I'd point out that people don't 'suffer' from autism, nor are autism and 'giftedness' mutually exclusive.

Original poster

Ophuchi · 27/09/2011 15:03

I'm very sorry Wimminsinit, I didn't mean to offend. I'll take care not to use that expression again in future.

OP posts:

WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 27/09/2011 15:04

It could be an exceptional memory as she could be memorising the word shapes and recognising them in different books. I assume she doesn't know her individual letter sounds?

My DD has a really good memory but not for words, more for tiny detail. It blows my mind! Her dad was the same and still is.

Original poster

Ophuchi · 27/09/2011 15:13

Yes, it's definately the shapes of the words she's recognising. She knows the names of letters now (because she asked) but not the sounds they make. I'll explain about that when she asks which I'm sure she will at some point before school.

I know how you feel - I am the proverbial goldfish so DD must take after her father!

OP posts:

WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 27/09/2011 15:18

Did you know that there is a gifted and talented section on here?

I guess seeing as she is memorising then you just need to make sure that the comprehension isn't missed out later which is very important.

Someone was also telling me the other day that the stage in Reception when they read the books without words (they give them out for the first few weeks) are important and not to be missed even if they can read. can't remember exactly why, some sort of stage that they shouldn't miss. Perhaps that's for comprehension as well?

Original poster

Ophuchi · 27/09/2011 15:24

I am aware of the G and T section now, but as DD is only 18 months old I wouldn't want to get ahead of myself. Yes, I'll have to make sure to keep on top of the comprehension side later - doesn't do any good being able to read if you can't understand what it means.

We are in Scotland where she will go in to primary one at 5 and a half. She does love to talk about the pictures in books already though, so I'm sure that won't be a problem. Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:

WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 27/09/2011 15:25

Meant to say my DD was speaking at the same age and walked later too. I think she walked at 14 months which was a lot later then the other babies I knew but was speaking very accurately. Her pronunciation was perfect!

Original poster

Ophuchi · 27/09/2011 15:27

Yes, our DDs are very similar. Perfect pronuciation here too albeit with a Scots accent!

OP posts:

Crunchieandpeanuts · 20/02/2015 09:40

Congratulations ! You have a bright girl and you obviously spend lots of time with her ! I think it is completely okay to brag, I'm a stay at home mum and I agree my child is 16 months counts and putting a couple of words together. For me I don't get to brag about my promotion at work, or how great a job I have done, or how I changed someone's life- I have my child as my job and when my child does great things that's generally a reflection im doing my job right. So good on you don't worry about what all these people say. You work hard so of course be proud. There's so real bullies on here.

Cal0717 · 16/04/2015 04:23

I was searching to find advanced children's blogs when I came across this... the woman gave a detailed description of her scenario and situation. More surprising is reading the responses from everyone. Most of you people sound bitter, angry, jealous and should really be ashamed of yourself. Clearly with comments like these, you don't have children and choose to make fun at the people who do!

Cal0717 · 16/04/2015 04:25

Ophu... where is her learning and development at now?

Ferguson · 17/04/2015 19:34

Hi OP -

I'm sorry you have been somewhat abused by some of our less considerate members. I have not waded through all the posts, but I will just comment on your name, in a moment.

Our DS was not as advanced as your DD, but he had both parents at home and became good at music and craft work at an early age. He also had good concentration and determination, which has been useful to him.

The parents of many children simply do not have the time to devote to the development of their child's mind and mental skills; some children are lucky if they get clothed and fed, never mind talked to and played with.

Now your "name": I think it possible it has been very slightly misspelt, and it should in fact be as follows; and there are several variations on it, but I will just post the first one I found. And to some extent, it does tie in with the Star Wars connection:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70_Ophiuchi

fairgame · 17/04/2015 19:46

FFS Zombie thread!!!
This thread is 4 years old!

Goldmandra · 17/04/2015 20:10

ZOMBIE THREAD

However, wouldn't mind hearing how this child's development has progressed. She sounds just like my DD1 who other parents thought was a bit freakish in her abilities and later turned out to have Asperger's Syndrome.

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