Help! No speech, no gestures. Limited understanding. No support!

[Jo20210]

Hi all im really hoping for some words of advice and tips to help my little ones gain skills my twins are 18 months born premature and kept in neonatal for first few months of their lives. Neither of them have any words at all. They both babble but no speech also no pointing or waving i know these are red flags for autism and i know they are going to be on the spectrum. But i dont know how to help them consultant said isnt worried about speech until over 2! They try to put coins in the toy piggy bank but seem to miss the slot go past in so i think this is hand/eye cord issue too! No fussy eating but one twin will also only drink milk nothing else and only from the bottle no beaker or cup at a loss how to help them they will feed themseleves but never with a spoon only with hands. They are both so loving and happy will give kisses when asked love nursery rhymes understand to come here and no but wouldnt understand get the ball or to fetch an object they also dont give things to me or bring for me to see.

Honestly OP I do think that whilst they sound a bit behind, you're panicking a bit too much too soon.

I know it's anecdotal but my nephew didn't speak till he was about 2 and a half.

Some don't.

Get them plenty of toys meant for fine motor skill development. Keep talking, reading and singing to them.

My 39 weeker didn't babble till after 1 and didn't say a word till 2.5. Some of them take longer than others. Make sure you keep talking, reading and singing songs. Keep your instructions short - I found too many words confused my DS loads at that stage, whereas if I just said "shoes" he'd go and sit on the stairs because he knew that's where we put shoes on.

It's fine for them to use their hands to eat with, I presume that you aren't taking them for tea at the Ritz. Offer a spoon at all meal times and just let them play. I'd switch the bottles to cups and tell them that's it but I'm a bit tough like that!

Thank you for your replies... im aware i sound like crazy mum... in all honesty the lack of speech isnt what concerns me most. The lack of gestures does they dont point, clap, wave! They also seem to have little understanding they understand to come to me, and understand no, if i ask for a kiss they understand that but regarding objects or tasks as in get the ball or coat, shoes etc they honestly have no idea what im talking about. they do know what actions to do with each rhyme but will push for me to do it for them for example row your boat will grab my hands and start tugging for me to do it for wind the bobbin up they will pull my hands together to clap or if i hold theirs they will open palms to clap but wont do for themseleves. Maybe ive run ahead of myself worry does that doesnt it!! I will definately try keeping every short single words thanks x

Hi,
When talking to your little ones, I think the usual advice is to add one more word than they are using. So, stick to one word now then move onto 2 words when they start copying you, e.g. ‘shoes’ then ‘shoes on’ then ‘your/put shoes on’. You don’t need to limit yourself to this as it is valuable for them to hear the rhythm and sounds of full sentences but it can be useful when encouraging them to communicate.
Good luck

Also has anyone else been in similar situations and how are your little ones now did they pick it all up eventually x

I think it's relevant just how premature they were?

@IsolaPribby they were 2 months premature.. born 32 weeks x

They are actually 19 months now but have a corrected age of 17 months but still even with the corrected age taken into account we are still so far behind on all communication/interaction... everything i see about lack of pointing seems to be a serious concern. Something i have never looked out for before i think something that you dont even think about until your child doesnt do it! :(

Have they had their hearing and sight checked?

@WrongKindOfFace they both were checked at birth for hearing i dont really have any concerns with hearing or sight but HV said she would refer for a hearing test to rule out but that was about 4 months ago havent heard anything since... but i dont believe there is an issue with hearing or sight to be truthful x

As you say it is not about speaking /speech but communication and understanding. Ask for referral for full development assessment like bayley scale of infant development
Or Griffiths scale
Both are standardised child-friendly, play-oriented measure for assessing the rate of development in infants from birth (1 month) to 5 years 11 months (71 months).

Then you can see gaps and strengths

Or see private development
Paediatrician for review

Thanks @Embracelife i'll try again with this x