Developmental Delay in 3 Year Old?

[Blackcat31]

I think that's a very good possibility too. He hasn't had a hearing test to my knowledge, but the required early childhood screening has hearing & vision tests so the results should be very helpful...now the only issue is convincing dcm to do the screening sooner rather than later...

Its recommended that the screenings be done between 3-3.5 yrs of age so maybe contact your area screening program and ask that they send you a flyer or info so that you can give it to the parent.

[Ariana]

I think that's a very good possibility too. He hasn't had a hearing test to my knowledge, but the required early childhood screening has hearing & vision tests so the results should be very helpful...now the only issue is convincing dcm to do the screening sooner rather than later...

I had A child in my care who was deaf. He was 2 and I only ever really heard him say 2-3 words. His mom said he had 20 words at home. He was very odd child and seemed very anxious all of the time. I knew he did not have autism but something was very "off". I ended up having to term him because mom was in denial and I just couldn't help him. This mom happened to be acquantances with my sister so I found out a few months later her was screened and was deaf I was VERY shocked and sad for that child

[daycarediva]

If you tell him to do something 'fun' eg. THROW ME THE BALL! KICK IT! Can he do that? It sounds like apraxia, the jumbled speech/sentences, comprehension.

[AmyKidsCo]

Dcb will be 3 next month. About 3 wks ago he transitioned from toddler to early pre room. I've worked in both rooms so I know expectations are not that much different (toddlers expected to sit still for 5 mins. at group time, early pre sits for 10, etc.)

I have one that turned 3 last month and one that will turn 3 next month.

Dcb has really been struggling. His verbal communication is limited, he can say a couple of phrases ("Help me" or "I don't like that") but much of his speech is unclear and just sounds like gibberish. Some phrases are out of order (ex. "Pick up Billy Daddy")--referring to himself as Billy. He often screams or cries out of frustration vs. using words.

My two speak in complete sentences and can tell me things that happened at home and other "stories." I'd watch him closely to see if he's forming words correctly and using his mouth/lips/tongue normally. My friend has a DCB the same age who's getting speech therapy because he doesn't know how to use his mouth correctly.

His comprehension also seems to be lacking. If he hits a child with a book and I ask him to come talk to me, I ask "Do you know why I asked you to come here?" he just looks at me blankly. If I ask "What are books for? Are they for hitting?" I get the same reaction. Idk if he is being obstinate or genuinely doesn't understand my question.

I would consider this normal. What child is going to admit that they did wrong if they don't have to? I'd skip the question and just say "Books aren't for hitting."

However, combined with your concerns about his speech I'd observe to see if he seems to have problems understanding other - more fun - directions, like "come get a sticker" or "time for lunch."

He needs constant reminders to do simple tasks and needs constant reminders throughout (ex. for washing hands I need to be right there next to him to keep him from playing in the water, washing the soap bottle instead of his hands, cupping his hand under the faucet so the water sprays out...) And we wash hands probably 10-12 times a day, every.single.day.

My two have our routine down pat, but they've been with me since they were 3 mos old and the routine hasn't changed. If your DCB has had different routines in different classrooms he may need more help learning the new routines. Both of mine will play in the sink forever if I let them.

He sits on the toilet at every diaper change and pees in the toilet about half the time. He doesn't communicate to an adult that he has to go. (Dcm says he tells her at home, but I have serious doubts about this). If I ask him if his diaper is wet or dry he says the wrong answer. Even after he poops in his diaper he doesn't seem to be aware of it.

Neither of mine have started potty learning yet, so your DCB is ahead of them in that area. They usually tell me if they have poop, but one of them tells me she has poop when she only has pee.

I feel like self-help & communication skills are more advanced for children at his age. Are my expectations too high? He's only been in young pre for 3 weeks, am I asking too much, too soon?

IMO your expectations are fine, he just needs more time and practice to reach them. I'd keep a close eye on his language development to see if it's a concern all the time or just in certain circumstances, and to see if it's progressing or not. If his language is progressing then it could be that he's more advanced in one area and less in language, but if there's no progression I'd be more concerned.