Has anyone's baby been VERY late responding to name but ok?

[MumOfTwinsWorriedSick]

I've got 14 month old identical twins (13 adjusted) and they still don't respond to either name
It's like they can't hear me, yet their recent hearing test was fine. They can definitely hear.

There are many positives (eg. they love music and will copy sounds and actions, they'll clap and wave if asked to), but their social development and actual understanding seems way off where it should be. They don't seem to recognise the name of any objects, mummy/daddy etc. The other areas of their development are fine and they are walking. They're incredibly curious and love exploring and playing with all of their toys, looking at books. There are no sensory, sleep or food issues.

I feel absolutely sick with worry about this, to the point that I'm going to call the GP next week for some help. Can anyone relate?

Sorry should have said, the Health Visitor should be reviewing them at 15 months. I'm not sure there's much they can do at this stage though.

My eldest was very slow to respond to her name, point, talk, stack blocks. She was referred to a paediatrician at 18 months, who said she was just a little lazy but they would monitor her. She was still behind when she started school, and had extra help in the classroom until year 3 when the school determined she was at the average level for her age and didn't need it anymore. She is now 14 and doing absolutely fine in high school

My daughter didn't seem to know her own name until she was about 2. She developed just fine. She wasn't in creche early so I think she had no need to recognise her name until she had to be singled out. I think it takes time sometimes for children to separate themselves or be aware of themselves as having a separate identity. Probably a bit different with twins too.

It’s common for twins to have a speech delay, so I wonder if it’s also a ‘thing’ for them to be behind with the listening side too. They have each other so don’t need external people as much so maybe are later to interact?

External to the two of them I mean. Worded badly, sorry, I don’t mean you are an external person.

Thank you all for the reassurance.

@YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake your username is very true, I really need a cupcake now to cheer me up!

@Plinkplonk1234 those are some interesting points. My twins have barely seen other people as they were born just before the first lockdown, and don't go to nursery. I actually really wish they could go as it would be so good for them, but can't afford it for both of them.

I do keep reminding myself that twins develop differently too, though I don't want to use that excuse too much and go into denial.

Sorry, you've probably already thought of this, but has their hearing been checked?

It has @CoalCraft, they had a hearing test just a couple of weeks ago and both passed fine. Until then I was expecting that to be the problem but apparently not.

Were your twins born early? If so what is there corrected age?

Also with twins it's common to use a collective to describe them or when talking to them eg. Come on you two? Do you use their names frequently and often? I don't think it's terribly unusual but if you're concerned spend the next week while really focusing on it e.g handing them a ball and saying ball and then repeat as often as you can to see if this makes a difference. I think these things sometimes come in developmental bursts so if they were early they may just not be there yet

Only by 4 weeks @noimaginationatall, so corrected they're 13 (and a half) months. You're right that I often addressed them collectively, or used pet names. When I became conscious that they weren't responding to me I made an effort to use their names, but that was about 3 months ago now so they've had a good chance!

How are your twins doing now.?

My ds (also a twin) was very slow and slow to talk in general and for ages he used the same name for himself and his sister! No problems now though. Hope things are working out for you.

Hi @MumOfTwinsWorriedSick i know this is a old post but could you please please provide some update on your babies pleass.Going through something similar and being a first time mom I am ao so worried loosing sleep..could you please reply.

Hi, I am also a twin mum and going through something similar. Would love to hear how things turned out or other people’s experiences. Thank you.