Twins Talking?

Alison - posted on 08/13/2012

They sound exactly like my twins boys who just turned two in June! I'm on the wait list for speech for them just for added help, I know they are smart and can and will eventually but. it doesn't hûrt to cover all the bases. I was a kindergarten teacher before so I know how hard it is forthe child to come to school with speechdelays that couldhave been dealt with earlier, so it doesn't hurt to try it out. Hope your evaluation goes well!!! I think lots of things exist, the twin thing, mine are learning English an Spanish so that contributes, I do lots ofthingsfor them before they ask out of desperation/frustration/a rush/not wanting to lose my mind so I'm sure that didn't help. Let us know how it goes good luck!

Stephanie - posted on 12/21/2009

when my girls did start talking, the older twin Hannah spoke for the younger twin Ellie most of the time. So Ellie had trouble with speaking clearly and didn't have much vocab. In fact, when she was 3 and in daycare she started biting people because she couldn't tell them what was wrong/what she was feeling/what she wanted.

but with some work with her teachers and me at home, she improved and stopped biting within that first week or so.

but it was nothing that needed a speech therapist or anything.

my cousin didn't speak at all until she was 4. But when she did, it was in intelligent complete sentences/thoughts. I don't remember myself, I'm 4 years younger than her. but mom and aunt like to tell that story on occasion. (oh, she's not a twin...)

Lisa - posted on 12/21/2009

Let me also throw in the one child I delayed getting help has struggled much more then her sibblings who have all gotten help much earlier. Our situation with our oldest is that she has learning disabilities, but we didn't know until we could understand her (her speech was BAD). I highly recommend intervention for speech because there could be other issues that need addressing that you don't know about, because of the speech.

Lisa - posted on 12/21/2009

I'm five for five on speech and language delays (all five of my children have needed intervention, not just my twins) I highly recommend getting them checked. If they need help, they'll get it and if they don't, you have piece of mind.

Julie - posted on 12/21/2009

I'm going through the same thing right now. My doc wants the boys to see a speech and hearing specialist, but everyone says "Oh it's a twin thing, they have delayed speech". I'll admit, my husband and I didn't spend as much time with the twins as we did our now four year old. We have made the doctor appointments, even though they hear just fine the doctor wants to rule out everything. In the last month their vocab has gotten so much better. In September they weren't saying any words that we could understand, by Novemeber it was three word sentences and December, they actually make sense. I just think since they have an older brother he talks for them. I'll admit that once I bought a set of DVD's from Leapfrog that helps with ABC's, Phonics for their older brother, they watched it and that's when I started seeing a change. The characters show the kids how letters are sounded out and I'd hear Wyatt, the older brother, sound out the letters and the twins would do it too. With these three it's monkey see; monkey do.

Michelle - posted on 12/20/2009

My twin boys who are 7 now are in speech therapy thru the public school system. They also had twin speak, used sign language, etc. They had no interest in really communicating with anybody else but themselves. They started early intervention when they were two. Their main issue is articulation. It doesn't hurt to check it out. From what I was told it is normal for twins to be delayed and have twin speak. It won't hurt them to get tested if that's something that you choose to do and my boys enjoy their speech classes. This should hopefully be their last year.

Vanessa - posted on 12/15/2009

typical for twins to have speech issues, be it delays or twin speak or whatever. You should check with their doctor in any case, and try to socialize them regularly with other kids.

Brooke - posted on 12/14/2009

My twin boys had their own little language going on & didn't bother to talk properly to anyone else unless they really wanted something. I started to worry about it, but when they went into Daycare part-time they were forced to snap out of it because they were mixing with other children & teachers that couldn't understand them. I would definately recommend making sure that they get contact with other children the same age if they don't already, just an hour or so a couple of times a week can help a lot.

Lauren - posted on 12/07/2009

I have b/g twins that are 18 months. My son was "behind" at first with motor skills and speech and then we started working with a therapist once a week. Turns out, he just needed more motivation than his sister. I would suggest putting them around other kids as much as possible. You can also try the "Your Baby Can" series. My kids love the videos and it really has taught them so much. My son has learned so many words just from watching the videos. But definitely talk to your pediatrician. It could be they just enjoy their own language with each other or they might need a little extra help! Better to find out now before they start school so they don't get way behind!! And it will put your mind to rest, too!! Hope this helps!!

Michelle - posted on 12/07/2009

I would get a few opinions from different professionals. They should be at the stage of saying short sentences by the time they are 2 1/2. Not necessarily be carrying a conversation though. My twins are just 3. They speak in heaps of sentences but not always easily understood mind you lol. They chatter away together all the time. All kids develop at their own pace. But it is always good, mainly for peace of mind, to get it checked out.

Becky - posted on 12/02/2009

My boys didn't talk until they were older. Connor would get frustrated becuz we couldn't understand him. I started speech therapy and I taught them (and whole family) american sign language. It worked like a charm. I still asked them to "use their words" but with the sign language as a back up it took the frustation away from my son and husband. By the way they still use the sign language at school (2nd grade). The teachers have even adapted the classrooms to some of the sign's, (bathroom, drink).

Courtney - posted on 11/30/2009

I have b/g twins and they were late talkers also. they will be 3 in Feb. they too talked to each other and knew what the other was saying. They didnt start really talking good until I put them in a Mothers Day Out program at church. Now they are talking in full conversations. I say give it more time, they will progress at their own speed. If the communication you guys have is working I wouldnt worry about it.

Toni - posted on 11/29/2009

My boys took ages to talk and we were a bit worried having an older daughter who was talking really early, then when we watched them they were talking complete rubbish to each other but understood each other, very funny to watch, check with your health visitor and put your mind at ease xx

Amanda - posted on 11/28/2009

Wow! Thanks so much for the ideas and support! I have been driving myself crazy about this issue because I worry what if there is something wrong and I don't do anything as well as the reverse of maybe they just aren't ready to talk. I have already started the evaluation process and I am already feeling better between that and these posts I have read! I am in the process of setting up and evaluation with a speech pathologist. The first evaluator came and said she can tell they really want to talk and even wittnessed them talking between each other! My mom says they will just wake up one morning and be talking in complete sentences and not to worry! I think once this evaluation process is over I will feel a lot better!

Tanya - posted on 11/28/2009

Hi Amanda. We also have had the same issue with our twins, who will be three in a couple of weeks. Our girl talked before our boy and we can't get her to be quiet! Our boy is just now talking more since he started preschool and he still has a more difficult time with pronunciation and he is harder to understand. We have had him evaluated and we have discussed this with more than one pediatrician. It never hurts to have them evaluated for your own piece of mind and to make sure you are doing all that needs to be done to meet your childrens' needs. Early Intervention will evaluate them for free in most cases. However, I think you will be surprised about how much they will begin talking over the next 6 months!

Marie-therese - posted on 11/28/2009

Hi Amanda dont worry about them, they are talking to each other in their own langage. With one baby it is much easier to keep repeating words i.e ball, ta etc., with two it is not so easy. I had a boy and girl and she did everthing months ahead of him, the so called experts nearly had me at my wits end as I thought he had major problems, It was just he used to watch her and let her do all the work. He caught up is now 6ft 3 with three sons of his own. So just enjoy them they will be fine. Marie

Carol - posted on 11/28/2009

Thanks! You brought back a memory a almost forgot about! My twins are now 10 and they also had their own language. I never worried about this I thought it was pretty incredible! Although one talked more than the other and still does. But now I can't shut either one of them up! Enjoy the twin experience!!

Amanda - posted on 11/27/2009

our boys were in speech therapy for a few months but she didnt do anything we couldnt. one improved, one is just my quite one. he is my physical talker. he knows everything we say and has his own language for things. we understand him. he will improve. they have enough vocabulary i am not extremely concerned. our oldest was a late talker, and now he talks more then normal 3 year olds.

Rebecca - posted on 11/27/2009

Boys speak later than girls and twin boys speak later than singletons of either gender. Nevertheless, 2 1/2 is pretty late for not talking -- they should have a vocabulary of 100 words and be forming sentences by now. I would talk to your Ped about it and get them into a Early Intervention program -- I live in Michigan and it's called Early On here. Your state probably has a similar program. It sounds like they have an expressive language delay. Early On will give you tips, etc. to help you catch them up and encourage them to talk. They will also check their hearing to make sure it isn't a hearing problem, which can happen if they have problems with ear infections. My boys are 21 months and were put into the Early On program at 12 months for an expressive language delay (they knew what we were saying but weren't speaking at all - not even Mommy or Daddy). One boy has "graduated" (meaning he is caught up to the norms) and the other is almost there. Better to address it now than wait until they are really behind.

Amanda - posted on 11/27/2009

i have the same problem. our boys are april 07 babies. one talks good and one doesnt. we have a physical talker and we have the typical baby language. we have meme is milk, and bebe is blanket. we have been going to speech therapy but she just sits around and says say this, say that, nothing i cant do myself. it is typical in twins and especially in boys. i know what you are going thru. hang in there.

Billi Leslie - posted on 11/27/2009

In my family it is normal for the boys to be late talkers. My father and both brothers didn't talk until they were 3. Both my sons were also 3 before they started talking and my youngest son is almost 4 and still has trouble pronouncing words. My g/g twins on the other hand talk much better than their brother who is only 1 year older. It almost sounds like your boys could talk if they wanted too. But if their method of communication is working why would they change it? Boys in general tend to talk later but if you have any concerns, ask the pediatrician. Sometimes kids just need a little extra help or encouragement and sometimes they need speech therapy. the pediatrician will also be able to recommend a speech therapist if needed. Good Luck.

Deborah - posted on 11/27/2009

We encountered the same problem. One of our girls were talking and the other one not so much. Our first ped told us not to worry about it, "they're twins they communicate amongst themselves" and "don't worry, they were premature, she'll catch up". Well....(we're military) we moved and were stationed in San Diego--our new ped told us that by the time a child is 2 years old they should have between 50-100 words they can say and use. So, we went straight into speech evaluations and learned that she is 'behind' the norm. I totally agree with Rachel, EVERY child is different. But, in my opinion, if you're having any questions on their speech get them evaluated by a speech therapist if you can. It's better to be catch something early...if there is something....or to be told by someone who knows (hopefully) that all is okay with the boys. Good Luck and God bless!!!

Rachel - posted on 11/27/2009

It never hurts to look into things. I'm not sure that it is necessarily a twin thing. My daughter chats up a storm, but my son says only a select few words. Every Child is different. Were they born on time? Do you talk to them alot? Sometimes that's all they need. If you are really worried there are all sorts of early prevention programs. Just be careful with them because they put everyone on the same scale. Good Luck with everything!