Late Talker

[QueensMum]

Hi there,

I have twin girls who just turned 18 months today!! :smiliedance:

Olivia has about 8 words that she can say reasonably clearly and understands everything that we say (if we ask for a specific book she will hunt through a pile of 50 books until she finds the right one).

Sarah has no clear words but babbles all day in another language. She sounds like she is having full conversations (even with the higher note at the end of a sentence like it's a question) and will look at me to answer it. She understands probably about half of what we say to her.

I am starting to worry though about Sarah's lack of clear words by this age. I know that most singletons should have around 10 words by now but I have also heard that twins can develop their speech abit later

Do you have any experience, with your kids or others, where twins have developed speech abit later than singletons?

[Mrs AJC]

DS is nearly 19mths and he too knows exactly what I say and will go looking for what I ask him to get even if he hasn't seen it in a while. He 'talks' alot but most of the time everything is "ehh" with pointing etc. He gets frustrated cause I don't understand what he is saying, but if I say "show me" he will take me to what he is on about and we work it out. He really only says dada and ehh.
I tried to teach him sign language from a young age, and whilst he knows what I am signing he has never signed back. I am not too worried, he understands me and am sure it is just a matter of time for him to pick up the english language. He has started wanting to know what everything is called though. He points at everything with a an "ehh" and a look like 'what's that called?' So now my days are spent going "table...chair...floor...curtain...table...hand...n ose" and so on for hours. He is interacting and I think that is most important.
It must be hard with twins cause you are always going to have a bench mark with one of them. Try not to worry, they are still really young!

[OJandMe]

The boys weren't saying much at 18 months at all!! I was worried about it.... but since they started kindy in Feb (just when they were 2) their language has grown at an incredible rate.

At 18 months Oliver could say Mummy and Daddy.. yuk, no, dog, mmm I don't think he was saying much more than that. Jordan could say say Mummy, DAddy and no.

Now they are real little chatterboxes! They're almost 2 and a half and only just putting 2 or more words togther... but their understanding is incredible, and I know their understood vocabulary is FAR higher than their spoken vocabulary....

Twins often have slower language development. I have some interesting articles on language development of twins if you're interested.. also check out Twins and Multiples (http://www.twinsandmultiples.org/index.htm) for more info, articles and research regarding twins.

If you're worried about it though, organise a hearing test... I was planning to for the boys, but after their language started picking up I realised they didn't need it... they just needed more stimulation and interaction with people other than us who were talking to them. :thumbsup:

[andrewsmum]

Wow, that's something to look out for in my twins... One is definitely more vocal than the other, yet they're only 7months old.

I'm no help as I don't have 18 month old twins but you have given me an insight into what may be about my twins. If you were at all concerned, like if she doesn't respond to you, get her hearing checked. You did say she understands half of what you say...but to be honest, I wouldn't worry just yet, when she starts talking she will talk nonstop!! What does the clinic nurse say?? Is it just twin-speak, a language that only twins understand??

Hopefully all goes well for you... :fingerscrossed:

[OJandMe]

Is it just twin-speak, a language that only twins understand??

Hopefully all goes well for you... :fingerscrossed:

While there is a fair bit of talk about 'twin-speak' more recent research is showing that 'twin-speak' is actually just normal speech operating at a lower level... twins talk to each other all the time, so tend to reinforce each others speech patterns, including errors! And this can make it difficult for other people to work out what they are saying.

Just a bit of info. :o

[busymummyof4]

I've only been thinking recently about about how our twins will go with the english language. Our second child speaks so fluently and we often get comments from others. I think one of our twins could be a little like her and the other could possibly rant and rave like the other child. GOD I HOPE NOT!
We had a hearing test in hospital after the twins were born. I think from memory it was about $60 per child. Had we been in a public hospital it would have been free but we were in a private hospital and had to pay. It was worth it - I can rest assure they hear ok. Hope they're not like their father though who has selective hearing! Isn't that a male trait?

[andrewsmum]

While there is a fair bit of talk about 'twin-speak' more recent research is showing that 'twin-speak' is actually just normal speech operating at a lower level... twins talk to each other all the time, so tend to reinforce each others speech patterns, including errors! And this can make it difficult for other people to work out what they are saying.

Just a bit of info. :o

Curious!! Wow, I didn't know that...

[DoubleDelight]

Hi

I responded to your other thread so I would regurgitate what I said. Just a question Do you read to the girls?

I found with my oldest who I read to from birth that he spoke very early (2 and 3 word sentences at 13mths) and I think this was the difference.

[Dannielle]

Hi,

With my girls there was a significant difference with their speech.

Ashleigh talked very early and very clearly but Hayleigh babbled alot or rarely spoke. Ashleigh would actually speak alot for the both of them. (She would tell me mummy Hayleigh wants a drink etc) So I tried to encourage Hayleigh to speak for herself without too much pressure.

My twins are now 3 and a half and Ashleigh talks very well (and spells 3 letter words:eek: on her leap frog) and Hayleigh is now talking non stop but can get a bit lazy with some words which we try to correct.

I used to worry about Hayleigh and her speech but when I stopped comparing her to what Ashleigh could say I realised she was behind what her big sister could say at that age but not a really big difference.

As someone said I wouldn't worry too much at 18 months. I would just try to encourage her as much as you can. Also maybe just make sure Olivia doesn't start trying to talk for Sarah and try to stop it the minute it starts. (She might not though. I think part of the reason Hayleigh used to let Ashleigh talk for her because she is very shy.)
Goodluck.:)

[QueensMum]

Hi there!

Dannielle: My girls sound similar. Olivia is really outgoing and demanding of more attention, whereas Sarah has been happy to sit in the background and read a book. I think abit of the issue might be that 'cause Olivia is always wanting so much attention and time, I didn't get the one-on-one time with Sarah.

DoubleDelight: Yes, I always read to the girls. I loved reading when I was younger and really wanted the girls to be able to read books and use their imagination to the fullest. Sarah loves me reading to her and I've noticed that she will be in the Playroom reading a book, speaking aloud in her cute little babble, mimicing my reading to her and pointing to things that I normally point to on the page.

Over the last week I have made a concerted effort to a) turn off the TV ('cause Sarah is a little TV zombie) and really try and "go slow" with single words. I'm almost positive (and Mum agrees) that Sarah said "What's That?" today!!! :smiliedance: