CSD 2230HUMAN COMMUNICATION

DISORDERS

Topic 2Normal Communication

Development and Communication Across the

Lifespan--Toddlers

Some General Characteristics

Explosion of speech production and expressive/receptive language skills

Comprehension improves Conversation becomes

more exciting because they are more responsive

Attention span improves

Some General Characteristics

Parents use more adult-like linguistic forms

50 word vocabulary by 18 months

Girls tend to develop faster than boys, overall

Articulation

Some General Characteristics

Major hallmark of the period is the combination of words

Use

The power of each individual word in the toddler’s vocabulary is strong

The purpose and meaning of these words is much broader than an adult’s, and they tend to have multiple purposes and multiple meanings

Content and Form

The toddler lexiconPersonal and uniqueDefinitions

Rules for combining wordsSome examples:

1. Agents come before action“mommy go” “kittie drink”

2. Objects come after action“more cookie” “go car”

Toddler Phonological RulesDeletion of final consonants

Reduces CVC forms to CVDad becomes Da

Deletion of unstressed syllableReduces the number of syllables in a word

Telephone becomes tefoneReduplication

Syllables in multisyllabic words repeatBaby becomes bebe

Reduction of consonant clustersReduces CCV+ structures to CV

Tree becomes teAssimilation

One consonant becomes another to simplify the formDoggie becomes goggie

SubstitutionDifficult sounds are replaced by easier ones

This becomes dis face becomes pace

To Summarize…By the age of two most toddlersUnderstand simple questions and

commandsPoint to body partsAsk questionsUse 2-3 word utterance consistentlyRefers to self by name, but may confuse I

and meAre intelligible about 2/3 of the time, but

volume and pitch are not well controlled

Have about a 300 word speaking vocabulary

Follow and understand simple rules of conversation