worried my 3yr old is way behind...

[missdduke]

I'm getting a bit worried about my just turned 3yr old, he seems so far behind his peers developmentally.

He's got speech delay which is being looked into and the speech therapist doesn't appear to be especially worried about him and has said that with intervention now he'll catch up by time he's ready for school.

However, he can't speak very well at all. He can't count to 10, he's still in nappies and doesn't appear to be anywhere near ready for pants. When I tell him 'no', he either totally ignores me and carries on what he's doing or throws a huge fit of crying. He just seems so babyish compared to his peers.

On the positive side, he goes to playschool 2 days a week and loves it, he's very happy, very affectionate, very sociable and friends have remarked on the fact that physically he's very able, climbing, balancing, early walker etc.

I don't know who to talk to about my concerns. I mentioned it to playschool leader and she just said 'oh, all children are different'. Do I speak to GP?, health visitor ?(not got much confidence in health visitors to be honest)speech therapist?

Any advice appreciated

I would speak to your GP and ask for a referal to an audiologist. Maybe your son has glue ear and that is holding him back. It could also explain him ignoring you.

You are obviously worried and maybe a referal to a community paediatrian would put your mind at ease.

You can legally demand a referal.Your GP can fob you off, but if you are assertive enough you will get the referals your child needs.

IMO you should keep in mind that not all children develop at the same rate. My DS is 5 and his reading and number work are really good, but at 3.0 he was just out of nappies and I have no memory of him being able to count to 10 until he was nearly 4. He still ignores me when I say "no", some kids are just like that, but is very well behaved at school. I'd see the GP to get his ears checked if you are worried, you might as well as it will only take a few minutes of his time.

The glue ear thing is worth checking out of course. but your playleader is quite right there doesn't seem anything wrong with him from what you say he sounds lovely. Enjoy him!