The SLP's count (based on my list, I just wasn't sure what should be counted -- she counted the english words, not the onomatopoeic ones, and all signs ASL and non-asl) was "about 40" Normal is 50.
<throws hands up in despair>
Even taking my count, which was 18-20, just the english words, and maybe some of the more "wordy" onomatopoeic ones still sounds like it would be "safe." <8 is a number used in a some studies as a cut-off.
I don't even know why we're in this mess, the DR just got futzed about a number on a milestone chart, and now everyone is insane.
-Mich
(He does know colours, about 6 planets, what a rainbow rasp-fish is, and stuff like that by pointing... There is a really big disparity between his receptive and his expressive. I suppose his "Delay" might look more significant scaled to his receptive language rather than to his age, but.... I'm not ready to reduce his life to three word sentances for THAT)
Good grief. I'm glad we didn't meet your SLP! DS didn't have any regularly used words at that age (maybe we might have mustered 5, with signs and generous interpretation?) - but, like yours, understood everything, knew lots, could read a bit, etc. I'd be asking them for research evidence that the specific treatment they plan to offer will benefit him long-term - totally reasonable request, sounds as though they won't be able to meet it. I guess you're right that it's the difference between his receptive and his expressive abilities that's got them concerned, but I'm not sure what the argument would be that it's a problem. I think if you suddenly start using 3 word sentences to him he'll worry about what's happening to your language!
