Twin Speak with SLP Stacey!
As a twin AND Chatterbox Speech-Language Pathologist, this National Sibling Day we asked Stacey for her personal and professional take on twin speak!
“Hi Chatterblog, Stacey here!
Twins often times will seem to have their own “secret” language that they use only with each other! This is known as “cryptophasia” or “twin speak.” As twins become older and start to develop different sounds and vocalizations, they begin to talk to each other and seem to understand what the other is saying to them. In very few cases do twins actually develop their own language and, in most instances, the twins’ secret code is in fact just them playing with sounds. The reason twins seem to understand each other is because they spend so much time together and have a strong connection. Twins do have a higher risk for developing a speech sound disorder due to them not needing to be understood by others because they have a communication partner who can understand them. The presence of “twin speak” does not always guarantee that they have or will develop a speech sound disorder, but it is something to keep an eye and ear on! If there is concern for a possible speech sound disorder, parents should look into having their twins evaluated by a speech-language pathologist!
I have been told by my parents that my twin sister, Shannon, and I seemed to have our own secret language! We would go back and forth and have very animated conversations that only we could understand. Our parents noticed it when we were between the ages of one and a half and three. They were not concerned at the time about our speech or language and thought that we were quite funny! Shannon and I have a strong bond and seem to know what the other is thinking with only a look and we still finish each other’s sentences to this day!”
If you have twins utilizing twin speak and are concerned about their speech development, reach out to your local SLP clinic! An SLP will provide an evaluation and determine if the child would benefit from and qualify for speech therapy.