Global developmental delays in preschoolers?

Question

My 38 month old finally finished his evaluations brought on by speech delays and is functioning at the level of 24-26 months in speech, motor skills, social, etc basically everything. THe only thing on schedule was his actual understanding. He is having behavior problems and after failing his vision test several times because he can't name colors consistently they are questioning whether he is color blind. He will be starting in a special needs preschool in january through the school system. However after searching around online I am becoming somewhat concerned that it may actually be a genetic disorder. He has a majority of the characteristics of Soto's syndrome as well as some other similar disorders now a huge deal except we just had a second child. I was wondering if there were any other common things that could cause this delay and what type of effect early intervention has had for any other parents with children experiencing delays in multiple areas.

Answer 1

If you havent yet I woudl suggest getting a referal to a devleopmental pediatrician and getting a genetic workup done. This can rule out or give an answer for the developmental delays. With a diagnosis you have an answer and know which paths to take to help your son get to his fullest potential. Color blindness usually cant be caught until 4-5 yrs of age once a child is well versed in their colors. Good luck to you and if you want support there is an online support group on Babyzone that is wonderful. Log into http://www.babyzone.com and look for the Special Needs Board listed under their parenting boards.

Answer 2

Please don't do this to yourself. Soto's is very rare and chances are that your child does not have it. The chances of having a second child with it are basically nil. Honestly, there are a zillion and one genetic disorders that you can find on the 'Net with similar symptoms, so trying to find a needle in a haystack is a difficult way to go about this. Take your child to a neurologist instead. He or she will tell you how you need to proceed.

Learning disabilities and language disorders are genetic and are not considered syndromes of any kind. If you and your husband have relatives that have learning disabilities, then it could be genetic. The other reason that kids end up with learning disabilities are difficulties during birth.

It is a bit to soon to get truly worried. Many boys are very slow to develop language. Sometimes they really start to bloom in their Pre-K class and end up going to kindergarten in regular education.

It seems idiotic for the school people to consider that he is color blind if he can't name colors. If he is delayed, he probably just can't yet.

There are some things that you can do at home to help him. First, refuse to give him something he really likes unless he verbally labels it, unless he can't speak at all.  Hold the item up and say, "Book." Hold it out of reach until he repeats the word "book." Make sure that to access his toys, he has to label them, so put the toys out of reach. If he just can't do this, then take pictures of his favorite toys and food and let him point to them.

Another thing to do is to have a mirror at his level so he can see himself speak. Play with him in front of the mirror and point to him when he speaks.

Always give heavy praise for speaking behavior. His behavior problems have to do with his inability to communicate his needs. The quicker that you can give him a way to do this, the better his behavior will be. If it's pictures, it's pictures. Go to the website, "Do2learn." It has many pictures and ideas about helping your child communicate.

Make sure you read to him every day and practice his colors and shapes. After he is in preschool for the rest of the year, you should be better able to gauge his learning ability.

Finally, you will have to become an advocate for your son. Demand to know how much speech language therapy he is getting and make sure you think it is enough. He also should be receiving occupational therapy for his fine motor skills. If he is not, demand a new IEP meeting.

I suggest that you read your "Parent's Rights and Procedural Safeguards." This will tell you how to proceed if you don't agree with the IEP. Also, go to the Wright's Law website to read up on your child's rights. The more you know, the more effective you will be in advocating for your child.

Answer 3

At the two-year old level, many children cannot identify colors consistently, especially when asked by a stranger.

Early intervention is the most effective for all special needs areas--autism, developmental delays, multiple disabilities,  etc. Having a second child with Soto's syndrome seems to be less common than having a siblings who have autism.

If your child is already comprehending at the two-year old level at 3 years two months, [with early intervention] he will probably be more on the mild end of the spectrum of whatever they end up calling his condition.

In the meantime, play with him, talk to him and love him as if he were about two years old. And let up a bit on drilling him on his colors. It probably doesn't mean much to him now other than Elmo being red.

Answer 4

I didn't read that you have had him evaluated by a medical specialist, though I'm sure you have.  I suggest making an appointment for him at the nearest University Hospital's pediatric department.  Explain your concern and they will make an appointment with you in the main clinic or a specialty clinic.  

Many genetic and acquired disorders share characteristics.  This is not as vague  as asking for a differential diagnosis on nausea/vomiting, but it's just so hard to tell from an internet description, no assessment or testing of your son, and no ability to observe and dialogue with you.  For that reason, I suspect many answers here will be "yes," but will not give you a definitive answer.  The only person who could give you a definitive answer is a specialty physician.

Answer 5

Well as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, I deal with these types of delays on a daily basis.  I know from first hand experience that Speech/Language Therapy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy can really help a child who has delays in those areas as does being in a classroom with some typical functioning peers.  Children absorb so much through play and peer interaction that those types of experiences for your child will be priceless and crucial in his progress.  

Keep an eye on his progress and you may find that he takes leaps and bounds and may not need an IEP as he enters Kindergarten!  Best wishes and Happy Holidays!