Developmental delays

My daughter is 3 years and 2 months old and has stated a 3 yo preschool after being with a private sitter since she was very small (only 1-2 other children).  She is also an only child.  At a recent parent-teacher conference, her teacher suggested we have her evaluated.  She was quite vague about what specifically we needed to have evaluated.  One concern is she has not integrated with other children a lot (She still does more side-by-side play vs. interactive).  In the 2 1/2 months she has been at her preschool, she has improved dramatically (less tantrums, playing with kids a little more).  However, the way she plays with the children is by copying what they are doing vs. engaging them.  She also displays OCD, for lack of a better term, tendencies.  She lines up all colors, letters precisely.  She also does answer questions, instead restating the question to say the answer (few yes or no responses).

I don't know how much of this is b/c she is the youngest in her class or how much could be some developmental delays (speech, sensory integration?)  She knows all her letters, numbers, shapes, colors but her teacher thinks there is "something" we need to evaluate.  Any advice?  

[aceing1204]

Hi I'm sorry your having these problems.  The sooner you get her therapy the better.  I sugess taking her to a ped. neurologist.  It can be scary but most likely fixable.  My son was recently diagnosed with mild pdd nos.  he's not even 2.  I'm going to put him in a hardcore communication therapy and he is currently recieving OT, Speech, and Sensory gym.  Just make the appt.  get it over with and get her therapy, their brains are plastic now and can be re-wired with the correct taylored therapy.  Good luck keep me posted

[RockRose]

You don't sound like you know her very well,  and are counting on sitters and her prechool teacher to describe her.  

In the abstract,  she doesn't sound all that abstract.  Could you take a 1/2 year off from your job and get to know your child?   That might be helpful when you evaluate her.  

[becks715]

The reason teacher was vague is because the evaluation looks at a host of possiblities.  And she probably didn't want to worry you.

I would get her evaluated, if there is something there it can be dealt with and probably corrected as she is so young.  No harm in knowing, the harm is in not knowing or doing.

It could also be that she is just that way - but an evaluation will tell you for sure.  Find out and then you will know how to deal with it.