Identical twins

[TripleAmum]

Anyone else have identical
twins born very early and very low birth weight slow with speech? They did spend several weeks in NICU and had very rough starts with infection and all.
They are now 2.5 years old and they barely answer their names, I have just realised I always called them collectively or different pet names. Wondering if this could have had an effect. They know some words and can recognise alphabet and numbers but they do not communicate their needs or anything else Just wanted to see if I should be worried or if anyone's willing to share their experiences

I've not had DTs but have a DD with speech delay. You may want to ask in the Multiple's or the Premature Birth Section for advice on how that might be affecting them.

I don't know how being early is calculated into figuring out where they should be with their development but if I were you I would ask my GV to do a hearing test at least.

Are they under a Paediatrician and do they have regular checkups.

I have been referred for a hearing test. Unfortunately there's like a 2 year waiting list due to backlog.
I have are arranged an appointment with their health visitor to discuss. Just so clueless in what to do.
could you please share your experience with your DD

How premature are they? What needs are they not communicating?

My 2.5 year old speaks well (says things like 'more juice mummy; I hurt my finger; there's a aeroplane') but has no idea about alphabet letters or numbers, nor would I expect him to at this age. So your little ones babble or gesture at all? Point to things they want for example. Could you self refer to speech therapy for an assessment? Have they had their 2 year check up yet?

My DD was full term which I know will make a difference. She passed her hearing test and didn't really talk much at all until she was 3, but she could do simple things like "put your cup on the table" or "fetch your bunny".

At 3 she did start taking but it could be a bit jumbled up. She had SLT but she's not developed any emotional language and we are now waiting for a referral back to an advanced paediatric SLT and a Paediatrician to assess for ASD.

they Follow some instructions, but I wouldn't be able to say go bring your shoes for examples they wouldn't understand what I was saying.

@BettyBoopy they babble a lot and bring me to something they want. They do more gestures. If they hurt themselves, they'll just cry and maybe say ouch. But nothing more.
like I'll have no idea if they want more juice because they can't say more juice or anything like that. They do sing some rhymes.@Rtmhwales they were born at 29weeks and both less than 1KG. @PritiPatelsMaker i have self referred to a speech therapist just a huge backlog. Gosh I hope it isn't a long wait for you x

If it’s really a two year wait for Speech and Language Therapy then I’d look at getting their hearing tested privately. Maybe ring an audiologist and see if they will test toddlers, and how much it would cost.
If there are issues with their hearing, you really want to know now so that they don’t miss 2 years of opportunity to hear speech well.

My twins were 8 weeks prem. They were slow to do everything, compared to their older siblings. One failed all hearing tests till 6. We were told they had no hearing in both ears and we should start learning sign language as soon as possible.
they were also slow to walk, potty train, drink from a cup with no handles and horrible eaters.
they weren’t fussy eaters they just wouldn’t eat very much. At 12 months they were still only taking 20 mils of milk per 4 hours.

they're both now physically, mentally very smart adults if not still stubborn as all hell at times.
that stubborn child who failed all the hearing tests is now an adult with perfect hearing.
the gp asked why they wouldn’t say they heard a noise when they were 4/5/6. They responded with “ they never said please” 🤦‍♀️

soo.. long story short. Don’t worry. They’ll talk when they’re good and ready

My twin nephews were slow to talk and even at 3-4 it was pigeon-English. They were very odd with tenses so would say things like "us am go-ed shops."
They're now mid-30s, both have masters honours degrees in sciences, earning fortunes and both are happily married. One has a very slight (endearing) stammer -more of a hesitation really but it hasn't held him back at all.
My sister had a wait for speech therapy for them but was basically told it would come in time. She was frustrated at the time but I suppose they were right. It did come.

@TheAustralian oh my goodness thank you for your input!! I swear I could have written this myself! they just won't eat.
so glad to hear your positive story.

@BlackFriday thank you for your response. It was great to read and it has definitely given me hope!!