Parents of Multiples Benefit from Gemiini
If you are raising multiples, you already know that life has offered you more of everything - more love, more laughter, more sleepless nights, more demands on your attention.
But did you know your children are more likely to experience speech and language delays than their single-child peers?
Why are multiples more likely to experience speech and language delays?
Many causes are linked to the increased occurrence of speech and language delays in multiples, including:
- Twins and multiples are more likely to be born premature. Preterm birth and related hazards are associated with a higher risk of delayed vocabulary acquisition and expressive language development.
Multiples frequently learn to communicate with each other using their own made up language, often referred to as “twin talk.” Children who can communicate with each other effectively in this manner are often less motivated to strengthen the skills they need to speak properly.
With multiples, it's not uncommon for one outspoken child to become the spokesperson for the group. Reserved children who rely on a vocal sibling for communication with the outside world can miss out on early practice using their own language to make requests and to express themselves.
Signs your child may have a speech or language delay
If your child is 1 - 2 years old and…
has a working vocabulary of fewer than ten words.
cannot form simple, two-word sentences.
does not wave goodbye to you.
cannot imitate animal sounds during play.
people outside your family can understand what he/she says less than a quarter of the time.
If your child is 2 - 3 years old and…
has a working vocabulary of less than 200 words.
does not combine known words to form three- or four-word sentences.
does not follow simple instructions (for example, "Sit down," "Come here," or, "Get your shoes.")
does not ask simple questions that start with "what" or "why", and does not answer questions that start with "where."
cannot identify body parts.
cannot identify more than 2 colors.
is not able to say his or her name.
people outside your family understand what he/she says less than half of the time.
If your child is 3 - 4 years old and…
does not regularly speak in four- or five-word sentences.
cannot identify basic colors.
cannot follow two- or three-step instructions.
cannot tell you stories (real or imagined).
cannot repeat nursery rhymes.
people outside your immediate family understand what he/she says less than three quarters of the time.
If your child is 4 - 5 years old and…
confuses past and present tense (for example, talks about events that have already happened using the present tense).
does not understand the concept of opposites.
does not speak sentences longer than five words.
cannot listen to a story and tell it back to you using his or her own words.
people outside your immediate family do not understand most of what he/she says.
What happens if you don't get therapy?
Without therapy, children with language delays often begin school socially and academically behind their peers. The ability to speak properly and understand language is integral to developing strong reading and writing skills, and language delays can have major ramifications in your child's social, emotional, and academic life. Without intervention, your child's confidence, self-esteem, independence, and ability to communicate with the outside world can suffer.
Gemiini is the Answer!
If you are a parent of multiples, Gemiini is here to help. Whether your child is nonverbal, struggling with articulation, or learning to combine words to make sentences, Gemiini is the answer.
Gemiini delivers personalized video modeling therapy sessions to strengthen the skills of communication. Each new video builds on your child's strengths to encourage growth at every stage of speech development.
There is room for Gemiini in every family's routine. Videos are assigned in short doses to be streamed from any desktop or laptop during meals, family time, or playtime with peers. With the Gemiini app, you can even download assignments directly to a phone or tablet, making it possible for your child to receive therapy on the go.
Gemiini has already brought the joy of language to thousands of families around the world. If you suspect a speech or language delay in your child, don't wait to start therapy. Sign up for Gemiini today!