Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 11/7/2010

Question
My 20 month old twin girls are receiving E.I.( speech and special ed. I had them evaluated because of my history with my seven year old girl who is autistic and 8 year old girl who just was speech delayed but pointed. The twins were full term. baby A was the bigger twin had breathing problems probably do to the 2 holes in the heart. Anyway baby b was the smaller twin and was a little delayed in walking and babbling. The things changed baby b is saying a couple of words and has more eye contact. Both babies rarely respond to their name. The evaluators are not concerned about the autism or the hearing. I have to say this is different from my autistic daughter who was at first diagnosed at 18 mos. with P.D.D. She would not even engage with any one. They will engage in playing but not respond to their name.Is this behavorial? When they want something they will have eye contact. My babysitter watches them for most of the day and does not speak too much english. Could this be why? Baby A walks fine great posture and feet turned out like a ballet dancer. She tip toes frequently especially when she is excited. Any thoughts greatly would be appreciated.

Answer
Hi Barbara

Because of the familial history, your twins are basically in a higher risk for delays. Basically, if both children are not talking using words to communicate their wants and needs, then I would be concerned. You mentioned baby B is saying a couple of words and has more eye contact than baby a. But a couple of words is not enough at 20 months. Is baby A talking at all? If not, then you indeed have to consider them to be high risk for developmental delay. And add the toe walking to the mix...

I would take them to a developmental pediatrician rather than depend on the evaluators at EI.

Let me know what happens.