More than one offsprings who take birth in the same pregnancy are called Multiples . When the number of offsprings is two, then they are called Twins . When only one foetus is alone in the womb, is called a Singleton . Number of twins is approximately 125 million in 2006 worldwide (i.e.- 1.9% of the world’s total population). In the U.S., the count was 32 twin live births in every 1000 live births in the year 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Delays in speech and language is quite common in twins or multiples, but not in all. Problems are generally seen with boys. Difficulties are seen with reading, writing and spelling activities. Speech delay is late development of speech production. Speech delays refers to the process of making sounds. It involves teeth, jaw, lips, tongue, vocal cords, lungs etc. In few cases, delay in language is also seen. Where the child fails to understand and speak language. He lacks the knowledge of language. He is unaware of the development of language and how to use it.
Twins develop their own means of communication. They interact with each other so well that do not require any language to speak. Since they have little exposure to spoken language at their early stages, they develop their own secret language with which they interact with their siblings. Twins or multiple might have normal intelligence level. But only problem lies it with their interaction with the outer world.
Few examples in support of the secret language used by the twins or multiples are:
Twins: “Nis Poto?” – this means ‘This Photo?’
Twins: “La moa Poto” – this means ‘Here more Photos’
Twins: “Ya.” – this means ‘Yeah’
The following tips to the parents may improve the speech and language development in twins or multiples:
- Talk to your child whenever you get a chance.
- Drive their attention to yourself.
- Show them what you are doing at that moment.
- Sing song to them.
- Drive their attention to other playful things.
- Do not let only them to stay together.
- Allow other peers to play and see them.
- Give equal attention and care for each of them.
- Make them feel special.
- Take them out.
- Do not fight with your spouse in front of them.
