Cashmere, go easy on yourself. You've done *everything* right.

A world of this. I know it's not going to alleviate the worry, but try to keep it in your mind that you are one of the best parents that I know and strive to be like.

Maybe he just doesn't want to feel boxed in by a certain gender at this point. I mean, he's only three. How does he know what gender he's going to want to be when he's six, ya know? And if he doesn't know what gender he wans to be, why should he learn his name is Owen when he might change it when he's seven? He's a very advanced thinker, there babe. Damn society boxing our creative and beautiful and advanced children into labels so early.

shakes fist at society

Plus, there are lots of kids for whom that stuff just gels later. It's like the kids who won't talk, and then suddenly start speaking in full sentences.

What Vortex said, too.

{{{{{Cash}}}} Try not to worry too much.

{{{Cashmere}}} I hate the sitting and worrying. Try to remember that the benchmarks are based on averages, and every kid is different. This may well be a case that Owen's developing on a different timetable than most kids, and nothing else. He's got a pretty strong will for a little guy. If there is something else at play here, I know you and your husband will find him the support he needs and he will do well. By the by, it seems to me that I know a lot of little boys who've needed speech therapy around age 3. It's like they need a little kick to get in gear and get over the hump.

When Christopher went to "go get a Slurpee," one of the things I was afraid of (before I found him) was that if someone found him, he wouldn't tell them his name. He was 3 years and 4 months. About 6 or 7 months later, he wasn't only talking in paragraphs and pages -- he was reading fluently and spelling better than his then 8 year old brother.

I hope this all just ends up being more evidence in your, "My kid is trying to kill me, slowly, with unnecessary stress," case file.

Now I have have to navigate the system to see if he qualifies for early intervention and see what programs they offer.

Bobby was in early intervention programs because he had hearing issues that lead to speech issues. All resolved now. The programs and teachers were awesome. (speech should be spelled speach, ijs)

Not to mention that he's Buffista sprog, maybe he's just being difficult with the testing people ;)

Owen is a beautiful boy with a fabulous, caring mother. You can tell even in photos that he's got a lot going on behind those big blue eyes. I'm sure it's unsettling to get information like you did, Cash, but you are doing all the right stuff.

I also really love the tea house Google theme. It is really really really cute.

(speech should be spelled speach, ijs)

{{{Cashmere}}} You're a great mom, as evidenced by the fact that if Owen needs speech therapy or anything else, he's going to get it. Try not to worry too much in advance.

Thanks, guys. I'm not in full blown panic but it's disconcerting to have a professional tell you something might be amiss. I'm not worried about ASD too much. I'm assuming he's an introverted personality who's just working through things at his own pace.

I've taken to working with him when Liv naps and have noticed some progress with the drills (specifically "asking" words which he had been lacking). I think he might fare better with a professional speech (speach?) therapist if that's one of our options. As it is, I can't speculate on what's slowing him down and I'd almost rather not. I know someone who's four year old son was in the programs my ped suggested for Owen and he's already caught up completely (he wasn't saying ANYTHING at two years old). So I do have some contacts with other mothers here that can put my mind at ease.

I would give anything for a picture of CJ with Poppin Fresh. Truly.