When did your twins REALLY start talking

[Mommy to monkeys]

My twin boys will be 3 in less than a month. . .they still aren't really talking.  There are a lot of words they CAN say IF they want to. . .animals names and sounds. . .they know ALL the letters of the alphabet and their sounds, they can count, say Good Night, Please, Help me, I love you (if I'm putting them to bed and they don't want to go. . .), mommy, cracker, sippy cup etc. But they still don't talk very much and the words they use are only used on THEIR terms. One talks more than the other, but NEITHER talk a whole lot, except when they're talking gibberish to each other (which they both find to be hilarious). My other boys have been late talkers. . .but not like this.  I have everyone around me saying, "They're twin boys! Don't WORRY. They're FINE!"  But I am a bit worried.  They've made slow but steady progress in the past few months, but I still don't know how delayed is acceptable.  We have their 3 year well check next month and I don't know whether I should be worried going into it or not.

 

I read to them, play with them, and talk to them. It's not as much as when I had an only child, but I also have a whole house full of other kids who talk to them too.

 

I'm not concerned about any of their other areas of development.  Their fine and gross motor skills are great.  They walked before a year and were climbing everything shortly after that. They are cuddly and affectionate. They both take you by the hand to lead you to what they want to do with you rather than speak to you and use grunting noises to emphasize that they want something. . .that just seems soo behind for almost 3 year olds. Has anyone else had twins with REALLY delayed speech?

[wapiti]

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[sbgrace]

Our speech wasn't delayed, though mine didn't have older siblings to communicate for them (which is possibly a bigger factor than twins). However, one of my boys did have delayed use of nonverbal communication (didn't point to communicate until 16 months and we "worked" on it, waved spontaneously way late/probably school age, was late with shaking his head yes/no--though I'm not sure when he did that, etc.). Those types of delays are much more worrisome than speech delays generally (excepting apraxia perhaps). If they had those nonverbal things at appropriate times (pointing to show you things by a year is a big one), I would be less concerned. It does sound like they are speech delayed but progressing, they have siblings who might be talking for them, and your other kids were slower to talk as well.

Hanen materials are available to parents and might be helpful if you want to try some work on their speech. I am pretty sure they have a program for late talkers without other underlying issues like the nonverbal stuff.

[Mommy to monkeys]

Hmm. . .but they turn 3 so soon. Does it make sense to call Early Intervention if they wouldn't even qualify for the program next month? Is it so awful to wait one more month for the doctor appt. to see what she thinks? Whether I'm over reacting or whether we really need help? All these guidelines. . .100 words, 300 words, 2 words together, 3 words together. . .I can't really connect with "what that means" if that makes sense. They can say all the things I listed but I have no clue how many words that is? And when they say kids of a certain age should say 3 words together does that mean the very occasional, "dirty poo poo" "I love you" and "bob and larry" count even though most of the words are one at a time here and there?

[Mommy to monkeys]

Our speech wasn't delayed, though mine didn't have older siblings to communicate for them (which is possibly a bigger factor than twins). However, one of my boys did have delayed use of nonverbal communication (didn't point to communicate until 16 months and we "worked" on it, waved spontaneously way late/probably school age, was late with shaking his head yes/no--though I'm not sure when he did that, etc.). Those types of delays are much more worrisome than speech delays generally (excepting apraxia perhaps). If they had those nonverbal things at appropriate times (pointing to show you things by a year is a big one), I would be less concerned. It does sound like they are speech delayed but progressing, they have siblings who might be talking for them, and your other kids were slower to talk as well.

Hanen materials are available to parents and might be helpful if you want to try some work on their speech. I am pretty sure they have a program for late talkers without other underlying issues like the nonverbal stuff.

 

They both are good at pointing things out. One is more likely to say, "Bird right there" while the other to just say "Bird".

They have older siblings that talk to them, but no one is really talking for them. 

Found the Hanen site and will read more on there tomorrow.

[Mommy to monkeys]

I don't have twins but my 3 year old ds did not really start talking until right after he turned 3. Like your boys he could say words but just did not talk a lot. Which at first distressed me because my dd basically talked out of the womb. Seriously, she would wake up at 2 years old and say, "Mommy, let's talk!" She talked so much at two often people would ask me how old she was and would be shocked she was two. "She speaks so well. She is so articulate." I would often be told. Anyways, fast forward to ds who seriously did not talk hardly at all until 3. I asked the pediatrician and she kept assuring me....he is a boy and he is your second. Now, he talks all the time and talks a lot. He really went from a boy of few words to having plenty to say. So, I understand the worry you feel but for whatever reason in a few more months....you may not be able to get them to be quiet. ;) I only share this with you so you will know it is possible for some boys to go from hardly talking at almost 3 to suddenly carrying on conversations a few months later.

Oh, I really hope this is what will happen for my boys.

[Okra]

To me it doesn't sound like huge red flags, but something to keep an eye on.  I wouldn't start early intervention at all, it if fine to wait and talk to your Dr. about.  My twins were very late talkers.  They also had articulation problems that we eventually did speech therapy for. I think the articulation problems were separate from the late talking. But, they were going to talk when they were going to talk.  And, you know what?  They eventually did.  At turning 3 ( I cannot remember exactly, but I think they were still at the single word stage, maybe stringing a few words together)  But between 3 and 4  is where they really started talking.

 

So, keep an eye on it, but don't worry too much. Maybe you might put them in speech, but I don't see any huge red flags right now. 

 

HUGS  It's hard to be a mom sometimes.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could wave a wand and have our kids do everything when we want them to?

[Runningmom80]

My twins started speech therapy at 19 months and were stringing words together by 2.  They only had a few words each at 18 months when I called.

 

I would call, but I have more of a 'what can it hurt to check it out?'  philosophy, where most might be fine to wait. 

[sbgrace]

They both are good at pointing things out. One is more likely to say, "Bird right there" while the other to just say "Bird".

They have older siblings that talk to them, but no one is really talking for them. 

Found the Hanen site and will read more on there tomorrow.

 

That's extremely reassuring, and "bird right there" is great. It sounds like they are doing things on their timetable based on what you have shared, but don't ignore mommy intuition/gut feeling. You are too late for early intervention, so I wouldn't call them. At 3 your school system is likely the only free option. I wouldn't bother with that.

[Mommy to monkeys]

To me it doesn't sound like huge red flags, but something to keep an eye on.  I wouldn't start early intervention at all, it if fine to wait and talk to your Dr. about.  My twins were very late talkers.  They also had articulation problems that we eventually did speech therapy for. I think the articulation problems were separate from the late talking. But, they were going to talk when they were going to talk.  And, you know what?  They eventually did.  At turning 3 ( I cannot remember exactly, but I think they were still at the single word stage, maybe stringing a few words together)  But between 3 and 4  is where they really started talking.

 

So, keep an eye on it, but don't worry too much. Maybe you might put them in speech, but I don't see any huge red flags right now. 

 

HUGS  It's hard to be a mom sometimes.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could wave a wand and have our kids do everything when we want them to?

 

I'm trying not to worry. 6 months ago they said NOTHING. So they've really made progress. I'd love that magic wand.

[Mommy to monkeys]

 At 3 your school system is likely the only free option. I wouldn't bother with that.

 

Hmm. I guess I don't know much about the system. We'd being going through the school system? This bums me out. We're in a very poor area, so I'm not sure how great their special programs are. I could be wrong. We'll see what the doctor says next month.

[Starr]

 I don't know if they need some assistance or not but it is positive that they are progressing.  :grouphug:

[Liz CA]

Hmm. . .but they turn 3 so soon. Does it make sense to call Early Intervention if they wouldn't even qualify for the program next month? Is it so awful to wait one more month for the doctor appt. to see what she thinks? Whether I'm over reacting or whether we really need help? All these guidelines. . .100 words, 300 words, 2 words together, 3 words together. . .I can't really connect with "what that means" if that makes sense. They can say all the things I listed but I have no clue how many words that is? And when they say kids of a certain age should say 3 words together does that mean the very occasional, "dirty poo poo" "I love you" and "bob and larry" count even though most of the words are one at a time here and there?

 

They are just that - guidelines. Twins often communicate to each other in their own ways. Also, every child has his or her own pace. My son did not speak a lot until he was older than your twins. We were doing a little bilingual things and this may have delayed it a bit. I can tell you that he is speaking eloquently and fluently now.

I don't see any alarming issues here.

 

[Farrar]

Mine were talking by age three... It's hard to remember exactly. But mine also never had a real twin speak. It sounds like your boys might have the real deal. I don't know how that interplays with normal language development.

[JFSinIL]

http://multiples.about.com/od/twintoddlers/a/twintalk.htm

 

While my twins did not develop idioglossia (one had a severe auditory processing delay that was not discovered until he was five years old :-( and he also has autism) my kid sister and I did (documented by our pediatrician.)

 

Now, the link above does have some good info - and having Early Intervention screen the kidlets can not hurt.  Mine were screened - and we were surprised to learn that the very verbal, friendly twin was delayed a full year in language.  After a couple years of the local EI preschool he was fine - and ended up my Honors kid.

 

Since early language acquisition is so important (sigh, my poor Joe, who basically did not develop any language in his first five years, as his hearing tests were fine.  Took a decent neuro to do the correct testing on him etc. etc.)  I would highly recommend getting the twins screened.  IF they need ANY intervention, the sooner the better. Odds are they are just fine, and just need a wee bit of extra time to get up to speed.  But why risk it?

 

[Mommy to monkeys]

Well, it is encouraging to know that everything very well may be fine. I think I will push to get them evaluated and just see.

 

JFSinIL-that's a very interesting article. Whether they have their own actual language or they just enjoy mimicking each other, I really don't know.  But they very much enjoy doing it! My mother said my brother and sister (twins) had their own language but were still talking much sooner than this.  I have twin nephews and I don't believe they did . . . Just interesting.

[sbgrace]

OP, the school system here would mean enrolling in preschool program at 3 if the child was delayed enough. They also base delays on academic skills/what is needed for the school success. I didn't bother when my son turned 3 and aged out of early intervention. You can work with them at home just as effectively given what you've described. I am really replying because any child with a speech delay should probably have a hearing exam by an audiologist. It might be worth asking for that, though they are probably ok.

[JFSinIL]

Well, it is encouraging to know that everything very well may be fine. I think I will push to get them evaluated and just see.

 

JFSinIL-that's a very interesting article. Whether they have their own actual language or they just enjoy mimicking each other, I really don't know.  But they very much enjoy doing it! My mother said my brother and sister (twins) had their own language but were still talking much sooner than this.  I have twin nephews and I don't believe they did . . . Just interesting.

 

According to my mom, my kid sister and I sounded like we were speaking Swedish to each other ;)  

Yes, very close siblings can be idioglossic, not just twins.

[Mommy to monkeys]

OP, the school system here would mean enrolling in preschool program at 3 if the child was delayed enough. They also base delays on academic skills/what is needed for the school success. I didn't bother when my son turned 3 and aged out of early intervention. You can work with them at home just as effectively given what you've described. I am really replying because any child with a speech delay should probably have a hearing exam by an audiologist. It might be worth asking for that, though they are probably ok.

 

I could go for the hearing exam.

 

But enrolling in the preschool program? Ugh. Ugh. Double ugh.  I'm hesitant to get involved in anything through the school system, firstly because I don't think preschool would help, and secondly (but just as important) once you're in with a child with speech delays, how hard is it to get OUT?  I really don't want to open a can of worms.  

 

I've been making a concerted effort to work on speaking with them. We read a lot.  I ordered several sets of flashcards with words to try and stimulate some discussions, we do fine motor activities every day and I'm trying to be more aware of engaging in conversation with them (or trying to!) They seem to really like toddler music, so I'm trying to sing those songs more with the motions. . .  I'm willing to put in the time and effort.  HOPEFULLY it pays off. And now I'm not sure what we're going to do.((Sigh))

[MistyMountain]

In my area you don't do a special needs preschool class if the only delay is speech. They have a class where they just work on speech skills but that is for a certain delay and you don't have to do that if you don't want to. My ds went through speech through the school district in preschool. He just saw a speech therapist one on one. He had a really good speech therapist who I credit to helping him learn to be articulate. It is worth looking into. It isn't hard to get out of if you feel you don't want to anymore. I tend to err on the side of caution but I am glad I got speech for my ds. 

[Sahamamama]

My husband's brother never said a WORD until after he was three years old. They were very concerned and took him to specialists, who basically said he was fine, his hearing was fine, all other aspects of development were fine -- he just didn't talk yet. One day, his father sat him down and said, "We are not going to ___ (a place he wanted to go to) until you speak." And he spoke. Now, many years later, he is a college professor with a Ph.D. in molecular cell biology, so I suppose he really was okay.

 

My twins (girls) spoke early and often, and really haven't stopped since. It's all high-pitched and squeaky, and never-ending. Want to switch? LOL. (Just kidding). Our girls both had an attached frenulum (tongue-tied), which was surgically corrected at age five (which I think was too late, but that's what the doctor said). They do still have difficulty with some R-sounds, especially words like "girl" and "party" and "either." Since that has only partially self-corrected in the past three years, we are going to take them for a speech evaluation in February. They probably will need some speech therapy to help get some of those R-sounds to be clearer, especially since their (real) names involve quite a few non-initial Rs. No, they are not really named Bang and Boom. ;)

 

I do think there have been times when their speech is less comprehensible (to outsiders) than it should be, but a part of that is not exactly their R-sound, but their speed! They just talk SO fast. I do tell them to slow down. I do say, "Please repeat that, slowly and clearly. I want to understand you." With my firstborn, there was never a need to emphasize articulation -- she was born talking clear-as-a-bell, seriously. But with Bang and Boom, I've had to gently let them know that I, their own mother, can't understand them when they race through what they want to say. My guess it that it's a competitive, beat-out-the-other-twin thing -- they race to say it, so they don't get interrupted.

 

Oh. Interruptions. Yes, with the twins, we have had to WORK on not doing that, especially Bang interrupting Boom, to the point of Boom becoming too frustrated to speak. Bang and Crash were getting into the habit of "finishing" Boom's thoughts for her, ahem, when Boom took a millisecond longer than they thought was approved. Ahem. I had to be adamant about respecting each others' "Speech Space," giving a person time to think and formulate thoughts into words, allowing a person to concentrate on speaking slowly and clearly. That was a few years ago, but it was worth being a drill sergeant over that!

 

Could you get a hearing eval from a pediatrician? We, like you, hesitated to involve ourselves with the PS system, for the same reasons. Quite frankly, we don't think they even know we exist here, because in NJ you don't register to homeschool. Less is more, in that regard. But we can take them for a speech/hearing eval through our health insurance, instead of the school. Perhaps your local hospital has a speech center?

 

One thing I did when my twins were little -- I think about 2 years? It's a blur -- anyway, one thing I did was to borrow Signing Time videos from our library and learn signs with the girls. We all did this, including my oldest and my husband. We used those signs during the time when the girls had a lot to say, but could express themselves better with BOTH words and signs. I don't know how this works, but I do believe the signs helped them understand how to express themselves more. I think that especially for Boom, the signs were essential in making that leap from inarticulate babyhood to "This is what I'm thinking, let me tell you about it." She got the concept that her thoughts could be OUT HERE, instead of stuck inside her head. Make sense?

 

There was another time, a few years later, when we did just one level of Wordly Wise (1st Grade, I think). That also seemed to help the twins understand that words meant something specific, and if you didn't know what a word meant, you could ask and get a definition, through words you already DID know. That was another piece that I think helped them.

 

HTH.

 

Rambling, gotta go!

 

 

[Mommy to monkeys]

Very interesting, Sahamamama. Thanks for sharing your experiences.  Just in the past couple of weeks the older of my two twins has started talking a LOT more, although I'm pretty sure no one else would understand him.  His womb mate is still making his slow and steady progress. Each day there are things he says that he hasn't said before.

 

I think the Signing Time videos are on Netflix?

 

As far as speech goes, there is no local hospital really. I mean there are a few but nothing anywhere close.  We have a clinic about 20 minutes or so that does most things. Anything other than the basics and you have to DRIVE. Oh the joys of rural living. (I know many people love it, but I'm not a country girl. I miss suburbia!)

 

Our appointment is in a couple weeks. Of course I'd be thrilled if they woke up tomorrow speaking in understandable paragraphs. . .

[Lb20inblue]

my twins were both speaking by 3 however, they didn't really start speaking fluently (if that makes sense) until they had to speak to non family members.  Are they in preschool or go to regular playdates?  

[Mommy to monkeys]

my twins were both speaking by 3 however, they didn't really start speaking fluently (if that makes sense) until they had to speak to non family members.  Are they in preschool or go to regular playdates?  

Not in preschool. I have a house full of other kids for them to play with, though.  We have the very occasional play date. They're in a toddler class at church.  There are not a lot of opportunities where we live. I'd love to move. . .