09/17/2025
Development at 2.5 Years (30 Months)
🗣️ Speech Milestones
• Uses 200–500 words (though this can vary widely).
• Combines 2–3 words into short phrases like:
• “More juice”
• “Mommy go work”
• “No want bath”
• Speech is 50–75% intelligible to unfamiliar listeners.
• Begins using pronouns like “I,” “me,” “you.”
• May start using plurals and simple past tense (e.g., “dogs,” “played”).
🧠 Language Comprehension
• Understands simple two-step directions:
• “Get your shoes and bring them here.”
• Points to body parts, familiar objects, and pictures when named.
• Understands basic concepts like:
• Big/little
• In/on/under
• Same/different
💬 Social Communication
• Uses language to:
• Ask for help (“Help me!”)
• Protest (“No!”)
• Comment (“That’s mine!”)
• Greet and say goodbye
• Begins pretend play with language (e.g., feeding a doll and saying “Eat!”).
• Shows interest in playing near or with other children
🚩 When to Consider a Speech-Language Evaluation
If by 2.5 years your child:
• Uses fewer than 50 words
• Rarely combines words
• Is difficult to understand even to familiar people
• Doesn’t follow simple directions
• Shows limited interest in communication or interaction
Occupational Therapy
🖐️ Fine Motor Skills
• Turns pages in a book one at a time
• Strings large beads
• Builds a tower of 6–8 blocks
• Begins to use scissors with supervision
• Scribbles with control; may imitate vertical and horizontal lines
🦶 Gross Motor Skills
• Walks up and down stairs with support or alternating feet
• Runs with improved coordination
• Jumps in place with both feet
• Begins to pedal a tricycle
• Throws a ball overhead
🧩 Sensory Processing
• Explores textures, sounds,movement
• May show sensitivity to loud noises or certain clothing
• Enjoys messy play (sand, water, finger paint)
• Begins to tolerate grooming routines (brushing hair, teeth)
🧦 Self-Help Skills
• Feeds self with spoon and drinks from open cup
• Helps with dressing (puts on shoes, pulls up pants)
• Begins potty training readiness
• Washes hands with assistance
🚩 When to Consider an OT Evaluation
If your child:
• Avoids messy play or certain textures
• Struggles with coordination or balance
• Has difficulty using hands for play or self-care
• Shows delays in dressing, feeding, or toileting
• Has frequent meltdowns during transitions or grooming
🧡 How Beyond Speech Therapy Supports OT Needs
• Sensory integration strategies
• Fine and gross motor skill development
• Parent coaching for daily routines
• Support for autism, sensory processing, and motor delays
🧩 Beyond Speech Therapy Can Help
• Early identification of delays
• Play-based, family-centered therapy
• Parent support and training
