In so doing, parents reinforce the repeated use of these sounds. The infant's realizes that people have names and objects have labels. By 12 months of age, some infants understand as many as 100 words. They can follow a simple command as long as the speaker uses a gesture. Early in the second year, a gesture no longer is needed.
Expressive language progresses at a somewhat slower rate.
By the end of the naming period, the infant will use about 25 words. 6 to 8 months after they say their first word. Mental retardation refers to significant sub-average general intellectual functioning as measured by standardized tests. When a discrepancy exists between problem-solving and language abilities, with only language being deficient, the possibility of a hearing impairment or a communication disorder should be excluded. If either language or problem-solving skills is deficient, the child is at high risk for a learning disability later.