what age should dd start talking?

[Crawling]

As some Know ds is being investigated for possible AS, dd2 has severe autism. Just a but of back story.

Dd2 was saying steady and woof but she has stopped saying them now she is 18 months and Im just wondering when she should start talking.

That's a really hard question to answer. You would expect a typically developing child to be using a few words by 18 months but as your DD has already been diagnosed with autism (I'm sure you know that's a very early diagnosis) her development path will probably differ form the typical pathway, and there isn't a typical path for autistic people and their language development. Some autistic people never use words, but most of these will use some method of communication in the long term, for example with computers, switches, or by picture exchange. Other children with autism are very late in developing speech and then it comes almost overnight and they have 'caught up' with NT peers within a year or two in terms of their vocabulary. Others will learn to speak enough to have their needs met but wouldn't use language for other reasons, such as to comment about something ('look at that strange bird'). Some people with autism don't have any language delays at all, but the way they use their speech is subtly different from NT peers.

So the answer is, no-one can tell you for sure. Her having had a few words before (even though she lost them) is quite a positive indicator that she will learn some speech again, and probably while she is of pre- or primary school age (ie before she is a teen or adult). One approach to consider might be ensuring her therapeutic input involves engaging her in the very early stages of communication - the stuff we learn, if we don't have autism, as babies - as this will be the foundation for facilitating her verbal communication later on. There is a method called Intensive Interaction that she might enjoy, this is a link to what they concentrate on:
www.intensiveinteraction.co.uk/about/the-fundamentals-of-communication/

Sorry stupid phone dd1 has autism aged 3 dd2 aged 18 months does not have autism as far as I know I'm just concerned at the loss of speech and lack of speech given the family history. So I wanted to know what age she should be talking so if any help is needed I can get the help sooner rather than later.

Hi crawling I think loss of words should always be taken seriously, especially with the family history.

Do you have any other concerns??

Typical development is about 50 words by 24 months I think, but none of mine were typical. In fact my most NT DS had the worst speech delay, no words until nearly 3. With your family history and a DD as well, I'd be getting a referral to a SALT. It will take ages to come through (6 months?) and you'll either be reassured by then or glad she's got an appointment.

ASD ds has a few words at 18 mths, but what he has never done is social chit chat. I really think they should differentiate between different types of language when it comes to assessing children for ASD.

For example DS was assessed by a SALT and found to have a normal level of speech, yet he can't chit chat to anyone (unless it's about his favourite computer game or Pokemon). Of course, he could answer specific questions the SALT was asking him as the pictures were there in front of him.

So, apparently his speech is normal, despite the fact that he rarely communicates using language.

Oh, right!

EllenJayne is right, 50 words (which is about when 2 words start to be used together) is the 'looked for' standard at turning age 2. Any speech regression should be taken seriously esp with your family history. The intensive interaction stuff will still be good stuff to do with her (even if she turns out to be NT but a bit slow to start speaking, it can't harm her). Many SALT services will accept self referral especially with family history, give them a ring and ask, or you can go through the health visitor as you know.

Thanks all I don't have any other concerns but at dds age it's hard to tell. I think I will speak to the Hv see what she thinks.

I agree with ellen, there would be no harm in doing a SALT referral and then when it gets closer to the appointment which will be ages away you can make an informed decision.

Good luck

Agree, ask for referral.

My 2 yr old DS (who everyone is super keen to point out is v. NT) also doesn't use language very much at all, but I'm quite relaxed about it becuase he's never lost language and his receptive language is quite good (unlike DD's at the same age, which was basically non-existent and why we asked for SALT referral). He also calls me Mummy, which DD didn't, has good shared attention and a brilliant repertoire of animal noises. He crawled early and walked early, unlike delayed DD, so I think late use of words is temporary.

If you're worried about your DD2's development in other ways as well, and she's lost language, I think a referral is a very good idea. We self-referred to SALT because our HV was a bit rubbish, but you should be able to self-refer especially if you're already known to SALT.