Getting worried about 3 yo (almost 4) DD

[Alongyear]

My DD is 3 years & 8 months and as she's getting older I'm starting to get concerned about her.

She started nursery when she was 2, but she doesn't speak whilst there. Her speech isn't very clear (even I struggle to understand it a some of the time), and I've always thought the reason she doesn't talk is because she's aware that her speech isn't clear. However after seeing her in various nursery events (sports day, plays etc) she doesn't seem to listen either and sits there in her own bubble- not following instructions (i.e "stand up everyone"). I'm now thinking that both her speech & comprehension is behind.

She also seems a lot younger than her peers. She can't recognise letter or numbers yet. Her concentration at home isn't great, she plays little games but flits around a lot. She's not really interested in the tv as she doesn't sit still long enough to take it in, but now I'm thinking maybe she doesn't understand it?

Is this unusual for an almost 4 year old? School is soon on the horizon and I'm worried about her struggling there.

She is seeing a speech therapist but has only just been assessed and nothing much has come out of yet.

Thanks

[Jessbags001]

Have you had her hearing tested? It may not be the problem but was the first thing that jumped out at me. Perhaps something to investigate/rule out?

Hope you get some answers soon.

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Can she hear ok?

[girliefriend]

Another one thinking hearing, esp glue ear.

[Alongyear]

Thanks.

She had her hearing checked at 2 and it was fine.

[Wolfbasher]

I would get her hearing tested again. A lot can change in 18 months and it really does sound like there may be a hearing loss.

[DaftMaul]

I would ask to meet with the nursery teacher to talk about your concerns with her listening, attention/concentration and her speech and language. Ask how her other skills are e.g. gross and fine motor skills.

Also, ask the slt what the results are from her assessments and what the plan is. Hopefully, she can give you some activities to do at home to improve her listening skills which should then help develop her speech and language. What are her verbal skills like? What sort of sentences does she use? Does the slt think your dd would benefit from an assessment by a paediatrician?

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Ds's hearing was fine at 2 but by 4 he was borderline needing grommets

[Alongyear]

Thanks. I'll get her hearing checked again.

I've spoken to nursery about her and their opinion is that she's very stubborn and needs to overcome it in her own time. They weren't too concerned that she doesn't listen, but thought it was all tied in to her speech.

Her gross motor skills seem ok to me. She loves being active and was early to jump, catch balls etc. I'm not sure about her fine motor skills. They were fine in her 2 year check though. She does spend a bit of time drawing. Just scribbling really. When colouring she can't keep within the lines and has never drawn any objects.

The slt was happy with her sentence construction. While we were there she was saying quite a few 4 word sentences (which the slt said she was looking for) and at home she says even longer sentences. The slt never mentioned anything about a paediatrician but she's only has one meeting with her so far. They are due to visit her in nursery over the next couple of months.