Concerned about DS age 4, memory problem?

[Zipitydooda]

My DS age 4 is starting to concern me. He comes across as bright, orally advanced, interested but he can't remember things like counting to 10, colours, shapes, and names of family members who he has known since birth. He'll say things like "that car is the colour of a polar bear" (rather than saying "white") or "Is Granpa B the one with the glasses?" (to distinguish which of 2 grandpas he will be seeing). I don't know how to find out if something is wrong?
His nursery hadn't noticed anything but I have started to point things out to them like the fact he doesn't remember most peoples (children & teachers) names.

Bump

Maybe he just isn't that interested in people and names? However if you are worried, go and see your GP and request a referral to a paediatrician, my GPs have always been good about referring for parental worry.

This sounds like 'word finding problems'

My DD had this very bad, and was like you described.

It was the first symptom of her very severe dyslexia.

Only taken my 6 years to fix :)

I'd go to your health visitor first as they are meant to support you and your child up to 5 and they have a lot more direct experience of the under 5's. Nursey is a good barometer BUT Mum knows best so I'd go health visitor first and then GP. Good luck

Hi everyone. I'm new to Mumsnet (a virgin if you like!).
I'm after some advice regarding my DD who is just 4. She is really struggling to get out of pull-ups at night. I've increased the amount she drinks pre 5pm to ensure her bladder gets used to holding more fluid (it's meant to help), talked to her about it, left the bathroom light on, put up a star chart etc.. but she is still doing a wee (just one I think) every night. I've tried lifting her when I go to bed but she's not interested in doing anything.
Any suggestions anyone?

Hmmm. think I put that last post in the wrong place - Sorry. Will try again !

Zipity - I'd get it checked out, if I were you. Start by going to your GP who should pass you onward to more specialist help (a developmental paed maybe) for assessment.

I can remember reading about a child with something similar - it was a type of aphasia in that case, but I can't remember which type.

Caro - I think you'll get more responses if you start your own thread .

Am very suprised nursery haven't noticed anything. My DD2 was very similar to how you describe your DS. She was frequently tested on her colours and shapes between 3 & 4, and bothy nursery and I noticed she had real problems retaining any info. She could be taught the names of shapes on day, but couldn't recall them well the next (same with numbers and counting). When she started reception, teaching her to read was a complete nightmare, even if I had pointed out a word to her she would not recognize it on the next page. Year 1 continued pretty much in the same vain. Her teachers even began to question whether she was playing games and refusing to recall simple things she had learnt the day before. One teacher said if she read a sentence on Monday, by Tuesday she was acting as if the page was in chinese with no recognition.
AMAZINGLY, half way through year 2 and she has suddenly started to recall and retain info at such a huge pace she is stunning us and her teacher. She started the year on reading level 2 and is now just finishing stage6.
Don't know how or why, but it's as if she just wasn't interested or ready to concentrate at the level she needed to be able to progress. Having said that, she did come home yesterday saying she had been doing literacy, and then said 'that is the one with numbers isn't it?' so we are not quite home and dry yet.
Again, like your DS she has always been advanced in her vocabulary, but her behaviour was always marked at school and nursery as 'immature', even given she is an August baby.

how interesting - I think you need to go to a speech and language therapist. You may be able to self-refer.

I think it's great you've spotted this now in case he needs extra help at school. Good that he has you on his team.

I wouldn't be fobbed off, I doubt it's lack of interest.

best of luck.

This has worried me a bit; specifically the aphasia suggestion.

Dyslexia etc I can handle, my brother is severely dyslexic.

I'm going to go and talk to his teachers. Thanks for the suggestions, I know that's probably the least likely reason but it is stuck in my mind now.

Word Finding Difficulties

Thanks IndigoBell. That website hits the nail on the head in the way he acts. I will read further.
What were your experiences with your DD?

I finally cracked her word finding problems a few weeks ago - aged 8.

I've written about it here

We noticed her problems at 3, before she'd even started nursery. It's taken that long to find something that would help.