DEVELOPMENT IN TWINS AND MULTIPLE BIRTHS

Approximately 12,000 twin births occur each year, with around 200 triplet births and a handful of higher multiple births.
The number of multiple births is increasing since 1980, though no certain reason why.

Being a twin or a triplet increases the chances of them having speech and language difficulties, as they are more likely to experience a number of factors that predispose all children to speech and language difficulties, such as a premature birth or being part of a large family.
Janet has a special interest in the language development of twins, due to having twin godsons, and is an honorary consultant for the Twins and Multiple Birth Association.
Janet and her team at Wordswell regularly give talks for parents and professionals working with children from multiple births.

TAMBA is a charity set up by parents of twins, triplets and higher multiples and interested professionals.
Their campaigns, research and support services directly help thousands of parents and professionals meet the unique challenges that multiple birth families face.

As an honorary consultant Janet can help with:

• Social interaction - any age
• Listening and attention
• Understanding
• Speech - slow to start talking/unclear and difficulty forming sounds
• Specific difficulties e.g. stammering
• Janet can also help with special needs statements

Click on the image to the left to see a small snippet of the TAMBA video clip 'Are multiples more at risk of speech and language delay?' interviewing Janet answering those frequently asked questions about speech and language therapy at the TAMBA 2010 AGM and study day.

Members of TAMBA can view the full presentation on the TAMBA website.