Senco at preschool and delays - 3yr old

[happybutpoor]

My DS is just 3 and started preschool in September. He has done really well in adapting as he was with me all the time before (I'm a SAHM) and my DH is away a lot. However the preschool said their SENCO has assessed him this week and he language are very poor / behind. They also said his motor skills are "some what" behind.

I feel a bit lost I have been trying with the HV on his speech, but have continually been told he's fine, and of course he says 50 words, even though I was saying he doesn't. It hasn't helped that my DH, friends and family are very much the same, saying he's only little and not to worry.

So I suppose I've just got on with things and tried to add in things to help with his speech, advice from here and online. But it seems it hasn't helped. He has made progress but very slowly and very limited.

So the preschool said it's a long process to get help, but they will do further assessments and think he needs speech therapy. They are also working with him at the preschool on words.

On the motorskills they have given previous specifics, but they were things he can do or does do at home. So I'm not sure on this issue. He is a very cautious, and sometimes I think he can be a bit too reliant on mummy to help or hold his hand. He has always been high needs/ needy.
So maybe that's the issue, maybe that's unusual for a 3 year old?

DS can jump, kick a ball, run and draw. He can't really ride a scooter, which I see other children doing his age. I don't stop him trying things. I'm not helicoptering him.

The only other thing I can think of is he has some quite limited interests. Specific toys etc. We do have friends over and he will share his toys happily etc.

Generally I would say he is a serious child, but will laugh at funny noises etc. No health issues. Has had hearing tests all fine.

Any thoughts or advice ?

Chatter to him all the time, read lots of books, try encorporating different words every day.
Play dough and more play dough to strengthen his hands, use scissors at home, play with a stick in the mud.
Lots of outdoor time, climbing frame in the park etc.

DD can be reluctant to use the stairs/lazy. I found going to gymnastics help.

Generally doing lots of things he can’t do regularly is helpful but in a fun way. Lots of chatting, familiar stories and as many songs as you fit in durring the day for speech.

Are only 50 words required for 3? I would assumed it was higher than that. Mary Sherridon’s ‘birth to 5’ book has detailed list of milestones which might give you an idea of what to work on.

@budgetneeded oh he loves scissors . Play doh he's not keen, we have some. I'll keep trying. He is quite stubborn, I try hard to add in new things.

@Jackshouse
50 words I think was the 2 year check, which is I expressed concerns to the HV. I had called them at 18 months too, as he didn't babble, so that's when they did hearing tests but that was it. They say he has understanding, so it fine but preschool say otherwise.

There isn't any further HV checks now.

In our area you can self refer to SALT but it sounds like nursery are pushing for that now anyway.