To get a referral to a speech therapist

[professorsnape]

My Dtwin boys (identical) are 22 months and I feel have a language delay. So many people have said to take the 'wait and see' approach, saying they'll be fine, etc, etc, that twins have own language and it's normal for twins to be delayed, etc, etc.

They understand almost everything - 'go and get a book from the bookshelf', 'give your brother a biscuit', etc, etc.

They have about 10 words - 'more' (which they say all the time, for more food, more kisses, more hugs, more songs if I'm singing to them), 'baw' for 'ball' 'ba' for 'bob (the builder), and 'ba' lots of other things. They have 'bay' for bear. Yesterday, one of the twins said 'bub bub' for bubbles in the bath.

If they want to communicate, they babble lots of 'b' syllable sounds 'ba ba ba ba' if pointing to their cup/packet of breadsticks/bowl of grapes and I say 'Do you want a grape?' They shake their head if not and so it's process of elimination - 'Do you want a breadstick?' If so, they nod and say 'ah ba' which is their affirmative word, or their word for 'yes'.

They are just much more placid/quiet/less verbal than my 4 and half year old older DD and I can't help compare them. She had SO many more words, sentences at this age (I remember as I kept a record as have a background in linguistics), just a richer knowledge of language; loads of nouns, a good few verbs, some adjectives even.

The boys seem to be at the level she was at about 14 months.

I feel a bit guilty too as I didn't do enough talking/reading to them in the first year, there was a lot of sitting them on chairs while I was cooking/cleaning other ones nappy or pulling my older toddler away from the climbing frame. I feel now I should have got a nanny/more help as I feel this is a price they are paying.

I do as much talking/reading to them as I can. They're in a creche in the mornings only and afternoons are spent with all 3 children, often they hear a lot of background chat as my older toddler tends to dominate the conversation so don't talk as directly to them as I'd like. I feel now I might consider taking time off work to focus on their language.

Are they too young to get a referral to a speech therapist?
Would love some advice from other mothers and any possible speech therapists out there. I've posted about this before in other forum on mumsnet so don't flame me if I sound a bit repetitive! Offering in advance

The Hanen book It takes two to talk is really good. My DS1 was a late talker, only 1 word at 2 yo. Never got to a cause, hearing was fine. He was referred to SALT and ENT at his 2 year check, (it takes months, maybe 6,) and continued to see SALT until he was 4. The SALT recommended the Hanen book.

My twins are 3.4 and had less words than yours before two. They are still very behind, we are waiting for SALT. We have had the initial assessment but that is it.

My HV said she wasn't worried until they were 3 (or almost 3) as there is such a learning curve between 2 and 3 years of age.

Getting worried now as they are frequently mistaken for two year olds. A friend of mine has twins the same age and they are the same.

oh my god the price of that book!

My son 2.1 sounds very similar to
your twins, everything has a bee or ba sound to it. Occasionally he will come out with a word but then gets embarrassed and never repeats it, the other day he pointed to the trees and said "blossom", he then covered his face and went all shy, if I ask him to say it again he won't. He doesn't put any words together. Ds1 didn't really say anything until he was 2 but then his language came on in leaps and bounds and by 2.3 he was conversing as well as a 4 or 5 year old. I'm a little concerned about ds2 and would like to discuss it with a hv, he also has tantrums because he can't communicate. Dh is being pig headed and says that there isn't a problem because ds1 developed so rapidly he assumes ds2 will be the same.

Do you have a children's centre local to you? You can often access SLT services there or they sometimes have drop in clinics where you can speak to a therapist.

I would get the referral, DS1 was similar at that age (everything was "b" sounds) although lots of children are the same without additional needs, he turned out to have a significant delay related to ASD.

I don't think you're likely to be doing anything wrong, I have 2 NT kids with totally on track development, DS1 in the middle is just taking a different path. Same parenting, totally different outcome.

I agree with Ellen Jane about Hanen - we did the 'More than words' programme and it was brilliant. The books are expensive, but worth it.

The bottom line is they are delayed. It is probably nothing but no one here can say.

A HV saying they would wait until 3 shocks me. 3 is VERY late to not be talking.

Whackamole, Winslow Press is pretty much the cheapest source for the Hanen books. I still think it's worth it. In fact, a SALT further up the thread has recommended it, too, I see.

i would back up the hearing test ideas from about DN had similar problems and it was amazing to see the difference after gromits

i hope this doesn't sound patronising, but are they no longer taking a bottle and no dummies during the day (only nap time). are they eating toddler food ie lots of textures, etc

My dd2 was referred at a similar age, the referal also included a hearing test. We are in London, and it probably took 4-6 weeks to get the first visit from the SALT, and then a few more weeks for hearing test.

We were then invited onto the 'it takes two to talk' programme. It lasted 8 weeks and was very useful in helping me to use the techniques with her on an everyday basis.

We now are in the position where she is still on the register, with a follow up due in about 6 months but they don't think that she will need any more therapy. Her speach really came on loads, but I'm not sure whether is was more to do with the speach and language or that she started going to nursery at the same time.

Hiya- ime twins tend to start talking later than singletons, BUT it wouldn't do any harm to be referred to the SALT list then you can come off it if necessary!

my daughter spoke in complete sentences by the age of 2. My son didn't even say mummy until he was almost 3 - he then seemed to speak in sentences from then on - he just didn't seem to want to speak until he could do it properly. My second son spoke fine - sometimes it can just take a bit longer x

Thanks for the help - am worried TBH so think I will go with the referral.

One of the my twins (older boy) failed hearing tests twice as a baby and was referred to an audiologist with glue ear but on next visit it cleared up so wasn't given grommits. I think that might be part of the delay for sure, but his brother never had any hearing difficulties and is delayed too (that identical twins for you - the natural experiement!!)

Will definitely suss out that book. We need to give thuis priority, but the other issue is that my DH is infuriatingly easy going about it all - saying they're fine, happy little fellas and thinks i'm being overly neurotic about it all!

We had a row earlier about actually

Always worth asking in your local library to borrow the hanen book- most libraries can locate a copy for you. X

My ds2 was similar at that age, and just suddenly, around 2.2, things clicked for him and he started coming out with new words. He's now 2.6 and you can't shut him up!

I had been really worried about him because he was so different from ds1 who was very verbal from an early age, but he was/is fine, just different.

Thanks cockadoodle, am very reassured to hear that. The boys came out with the words 'bubble' and 'the ball' over the last week:) Am hoping things will improve. I'm doing as much as I can (well, with 3 small children) and am trying to keep the language as natural as possible

I rang my local library but they don't have the Hanen book, am going to try and get a day pass for my Alma Mater - the university I went too and take notes!!

SLT has an open-referal system - you don't have to be referred by a professional. Just call your local SLT department and asked to be put on to their referal list.

We were told today that grandson aged 22 months is to be referred for speech therapy. What does that involve? He has never said one word and plays happily with toys. I dont think he is deaf.

Our area has a SALT advice line, where you can ring for advice and they then bring you in if they need to. Ask HV if it is available in your area too.
They sound fine in terms of speech development at the mo- although would agree re hearing check would be helpful.