Early signals can develop into spoken words. Children's early communication signals consist of bodily movements, facial expressions, gestures, cries and coos. These early signals eventually become speech-like sounds, then words, then sentences. Usually by a child's first birthday, he or she may say a few clearly understood words. Most children begin putting words together around their second birthday.
Children develop speech, however, at different rates.
Communication development involving listening, speaking, gesturing, reading, and writing continues throughout life and requires access to all aspects of the child's world. Assistive technology is an option to help young children communicate. Help for children who are at risk for difficulty in developing, sending, and receiving early communication signals and for their caregivers is available through the use of assistive technology. Assistive technology includes a wide range of low and high technology options. One example of a low or no technology option to facilitate communication is keeping an accurate log of an infant's cues and their meanings to be shared by all caregivers.