Not sure how to classify DD

[trampingmum]

My DD is 2 and 3/4 and I'm really not sure what to make of her. She can seem very bright - knows all her colours, letters, interested in space (we have a book about the planets) and geography.

But, her speech is very hit and miss - sometimes she will say 4-5 word sentences very clearly (of course, she did this for a speech therapist I got in!) and sometimes she just seems to babble and do lots of "ssssssing" noises.
Also, her understanding seems limited sometimes. So for example, you will ask her what she did today and she looks at you blankly. Or you ask her about an activity she just did ("Have you been to the beach today?") and again - blank look.
On the other hand, she has strong imaginative play and evidently does understand concepts she sees on tv.
She is also potty trained if her lower half is naked, but not if dressed.

Any ideas? I'm just not sure if she might have some kind of learning difficulty, or if she is just slightly unique!

Some children take a while to understand sequencing, ie what she did earlier today or yesterday. It's very diffficult to understand the concept of 'before' and 'after' for a little one. It will come with time. Try to find 'wordless' books - toddler books with only images, no words, and talk about the images with her, sequencing the events. Or when you read, ask her what she thinks will happen next.

It also takes a ot of 'brainpower' to talk, and sometimes the brain is occupied with other things. It's a bit early to see if there's a pattern, but I would just carry on with normal stuff. When you play with her, ask her to do one action, such as 'give some apple to teddy' and then ask more complicated task 'give yogurt to the bear with the spoon', or 'put the door in the bed, under the blanket' and see how many instructions she can follow.

did I write door? I meant Doll!

You could actually be describing my daughter here. Almost word for word. My daughter had her two and a half year check and the health visitor said she was fine. her speech is gradually improving, she has just turned three but I still can't have a full conversation with her. I think as the previous post says it just takes some longer than others to get it.

Just out of curiosity, do you have any problems with behaviour with her, tantrums etc? I just ask because my daughter has a lot of tantrums too.

Have You had her ears tested op?

Thanks all.
Natalie82B - her tantrums used to be quite bad (though only at home thank God!) but they seem to have got a bit better lately. Did your DD attend a day care facility and if so, did you find she would go all quiet and shy there, despite being quite outgoing at home?
TheProsAndConsOfHitchhiking - not had her ears tested because she does seem to hear what we say - just doesn't always understand it as well as others her age (not that I have many to compare with). It is the understanding and changes in speech ability that I find odd/slightly concerning.

I find my dd can talk gibberish when she's tired. It is an alarming range, from being able to say complex things to not being able to pronounce words I know she knows when she's tired. Do you see a link there?

Jess03 Yes, her speech does get worse when she's tired; really engrossed in something; or wants something really badly (which is very frustrating for me as i obviously want to understand what's upsetting her!) It seems to improve if she has to converse with people she knows care about her, but doesn't see that regularly e.g. grandparents. At her nursery she apparently doesn't say much at all and she's been there a year. So quite a wide range - hence my confusion!

my dd always talks a lot better when she's with her grandparents too! I had a nursery person babysit and say she couldn't believe how much dd talked at home which made me a bit sad. nursery say she's doing ok on all the metrics, but you always worry!

No my dd is quite lovely at nursery but she has only jut started so its still early days. X

A guy in my office is a bit like this, I wouldn't worry.

*lively not lovely that should of said. Actually my dd is having more tantrums at nursery than at home.