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speech delay in identical twin girls.

4 replies

montysma1 · 13/05/2011 16:19

I have posted this in special needs, but thought I would post here for any imput from twin mummies who have experienced this.

I have 34 month old, identical girl twins (although they were 2 months prem), very good condition at birth, very short stay in scbu etc and not a days illness since, by which I mean they didnt seem very set back by their early birth.

My worry is that their speech is still very limited. Perhaps 30 words, and not used that often. Its things that are important to them, like "beebies" "pee" "poo", "wet" , "juice". they dont tend to speak just to make conversation if you know what I mean. if they are in the mood they will point at things they know and say the word, or point at things they dont know, and try to repeat the word when I say it. This would be initiated by them.

They "talk" to each other a lot to, but not comprehensibly.

I almost feel as if they can talk but just dont really want to. To get things they want, they point, drag me, or get it themself. Asking for it would be the last resort.

They walked at 11months and are very physically coordinated in terms of hopping and catching etc. They are expert climbers and hardly ever fall over.

They play alone, and together, they cooperate in play and are imaginative and of course have mighty battles over the same toy. In general though they are extremely kind and concerned for each other.

They play alone, but love to initiate play with me as well. They use toys as intended but also innovate all sorts of other things to do with them.

They engage with people, they have sense of humour, they understand facial expressions (if one is naughty, the other often does my reproachful face, which is very funny). If I am annoyed with one, the other will often come and cuddle the one who has been scolded. If I appear upset or myself , they say "aw" and cuddle me.

They are very happy and placid, tantrums very rare, crying stops the moment you have sorted out what ever has bothered them. They slept through from 3 months. so contented children too.

They cooperate very well with each other in terms of criminal behavior! They interact fine with other children if a little cautiously.

They will carry out all sorts of instructions. They also quite often go and look for or do things, where the request was actually directed at my husband and with no attention paid to them. Which seems to suggest that they are always tuned into people around them. understanding seems to be excellent.

In every way I can think of, they are as smart as whips and quick on the uptake.

However, the reason obviously that I am posting here, is that at almost 3 they have very little speech.

HV a few months ago seemed unconcerned and said I should get back to her. I have delayed, because there is NOTHING else that ring alarm bells with me. Just looking fo a bit of advice really.

OP posts:
SuchProspects · 14/05/2011 06:43

Monty I'm not in your situation so don't have any direct experience but I didn't want to leave your post unanswered.

I think you are right not to worry but also that it wouldn't hurt to check in with the HV from time to time. From what I have read there is huge variety in the normal development of speech and, according to TAMBA, later speech development is common in twins. At the same time if there is an issue early intervention can be important in making sure it doesn't affect other areas of development.

If you want to encourage them to speak, Tamba's advice is too try to spend time with them individually. They have a short page about speech & language on their website (they claim you have access to the full article in the members section, but I can't find it).

catinthehat2 · 14/05/2011 07:03

They "talk" to each other a lot to, but not comprehensibly.
In every way I can think of, they are as smart as whips and quick on the uptake.

I'm not a twin mother, and yes, 3 seems quite late to get a good vocab, but:

  1. wanted to bump thread a bit
  2. I was also aware that twins can often have late speech devt.. 3)..and that is because of your first comment.

I'm certainly willing to hold my hands up in case it is an urban myth, but to me it seems entirely reasonable that if you spend all day gassing to your best sister in the universe, the person you've been holding hands with since before you were born, that you won't particularly get to know the language of the other lot, mum, dad etc.

So I would definitely be spending a fair amount of time one to one with them

here's another useful link: - idioglossia

"Today. research indicates that twin language is actually one twin modeling the immature or disordered speech pattern of their co-twin. which results in the incorrect use of speech sounds and grammar by both twins"

greenlime · 14/05/2011 07:31

They may be talking to eachother in their own language. My twin brothers did this. It is hard for adults to learn their language (my mum couldn't) but I was only 4 at the time and I could translate bits of it. Anyway my mum rectified it by sending them to nursery (aged 3) so that they would need to speak to other children using English! Couple of months - vast improvement.

Chocamochalatte · 14/05/2011 07:59

Hi Monty, I have DTs age 10, it sounds very normal to me, sounds very similar to how my boys developed, they were delayed speaking, they used to talk to each other and I felt didn't really 'need' to talk to anyone else. I wouldn't say they had their own language as such more that they knew what each other was 'saying'. Nursery will certainly help and keep talking to your health visitor too, it may be that they need speech therapy in the future, which I don't think is a bad thing. My friends singleton didn't talk properly until age 3, he said the odd word but never in sentences, but there's nothing 'wrong' with him and now you can't shut him up!
I hope that helps. Also, I found going to twin clubs really helpful when they were young, I think TAMBA will be able to tell you if there is one in your area.

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