Twin speech

[marymoomin]

My twins are 20 mths. The were 5 weeks premature but no scbu or anything. Their speech is extremely far behind their older sister at the same stage. By now the elder sister could construct sentences. Their compression is fine and they generally understand if you tell them to do something. They can only say things like mum dad dog hat baby- stuff like that. At what stage do you seek help with speech?

 

[AngelUK]

One of my boys had no words at 20 months and only 5 at 22. At 20 months we went to our HV and voiced our concerns. We were referred to a speech therapist who saw him when he was 22 months. She assessed him as speech delayed and referred us to speech therapy. By the time there was a space available for him in a group, he was about 25 months old. By 24 months he had had a speech explosion and was fast catching up. So we never went to therapy but had him reassessed at about 2 years and 4 months and he was discharged as he had totally caught up.
But what the therapist told us was that being proactive early is always a good idea since speech therapy placements take ages to come through as the system is so busy. She also said that many many children who are behind in their speech do catch up by 2 to 2 1/2 but there is no knowing which will and which need help. She did say that it is not unusual to have twins where one speaks well and the other very little. (But I think in your case it is both girls?)
So in short, if you are concerned I would go and see someone about it. Maybe just to get tips on how to encourage speech? I don't know where in the world you are but getting your foot in the door early is always a good idea I think. Good luck

 

[marymoomin]

Thanks for your reply.
I am in the uk. I have opted out of the health visitor "regime", as our experience was one that added no value whatsoever. I have a great team of GP however that can and probably would refer. You are correct when you say it's both. They are almost exactly at the same level. The thing that has put me off so far is there comprehension. The understand A LOT and can answer yes/ no question in a way that leaves me in no doubt they fully understand. They also oddly sing, and copy almost entire songs- row row row your boat, baa baa black sheep, if you are happy and you know it- but it's the sounds of word rather than knowing, for example, sheep bag using it in context. In my mind therefore this isn't speech per se.
They respond to things like can you bring me your shoes/ plate etc.
I will mention to the GP and see what they say...

 

[fieryphoenix]

My lo is the same age and says the same things. Mama, hat, hot, dog, Daisy. I think your first dd was early with her speech

 

[MummyKP]

I don't have children yet but I'm a teacher and have gone through college and university studying child development and I wouldn't worry too much about their language at this stage. They are still young, so I would leave it for now, and see how they are in 6-12 months. A lot can happen in that amount of time! They were early so that can leave them a little behind for now but I'm sure by the time they get to school they will have caught up with all of their peers. If by 3 their language is still limited I would then seek advice and get in touch with a speech therapist....but until then I'd just see how it goes, and maybe just jot down when they've developed new words.

 

[marymoomin]

Actually this weekend they have started saying more ( moooo urrrrr) milk, so maybe we have the start of a basic sentence!