Okay, I have two sons (15 and 10), so it's been a while since I've been around an 18-month-old. We have a daughter that age now and I was just wondering about her vocabulary. From what I find on the internet, it's not unusual for a child that age to be saying a dozen to two dozen words. What about over 70? She can even speak three and four-word phrases. Our 10-year-old son has ADHD, OCD, ODD and Asperger Syndrome. With the Asperger, they are called "little professors" because of their diverse and large vocabulary. I'm worried about our daughter because she is showing some of the same signs. (At three years old, our son told us he "hadn't had an opportunity to clean his room yet" when we asked him to pick up his toys. Do you think it's unusual that our daughter can say so many words? And, as far as the phrases and short sentences go, when I tried to get her to eat baked potato this week, she tossed it on my saucer and said, "I don't want it. Do you want it?"

Well, I have a 17 month old, and she does not form sentences. She says the typicall ball and mama and daddy. She also knows shoe and our dogs name. I would say she has a vocab of about 20 "real" words that I can actually understand, the rest is blabber.

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My 7 yo son was speaking in full sentences at that age as well. He has a good friend with asperger's as well, so I know the warning signs. Keep an eye on her, it's unusual, but not something to worry about.

It's so difficult to judge since there is such a huge range in verbal skills at this age.

My d/s with Asperger's really spoke very little at that age, to the point of concern on our parts. Turns out his receptive language was just way ahead of his spoken language.

If you are really concerned, check with your pediatrician.

As hard as it is, try not comparing. ( Impossible? Maybe... ) My oldest DD was speaking in complete sentences, and, it seemed, paragraphs, at 18 months ( she spoke her first word at 9 months -- "hot", in reference to my warning about the stove) and really, she hasn't stopped talking yet. DD#2 could speak words at 18 months but really didn't start talking much until she was over 2. Both are now above average students.
I told my husband I was worried when DD#2 was speaking so little, he just looked at me, a little exasperated, and said "But I LIKE it quiet...please?" They are still the two that escape to fish in peace...

My DD was speaking in sentences at 18mos and reading independently by 3. She learns by listening/reading/verbalizing. My DS didn't say a word until after he was 2. He's more of a visual/hands on learner, and is still very quiet at age 7.
Both are advanced, but my DD has a very high IQ and has skipped a grade. Your DD is probably just really smart.

How many words should an 18-month-old be saying?

I believe that the correct answer is 47.

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I wouldn't worry. My dd3 could recite the pledge of allegiance at 2.5 years old. I attribute it to being the youngest of three. She reached all milestones at record pace and is a completely normal child. I think she learned everything so fast trying to keep up with the older siblings.

I won't be any help other than to reiterate that they are all different. My DD is 19 months old and speaks three words, hi, mama and boon (balloon) and even those are infrequent. She does not mimic sounds at all. She is starting speech therapy tomorrow.

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My DD was also speaking in full paragraphs at 18mos. DS barely spoke until well over 2yrs/almost 3 and then it was simple words and maybe 2 or 3 words put together. At almost 18 DD still talks your ear off while DS, age 16, rarely has anything to say!

It's a bit unusual but I wouldn't assume that she has Asperger Syndrome. She may just be advanced. Some children develop verbal skills more quickly than others.