What's Wrong With My 3 year old?

[ajames1031]

My son is 3 1/2 years old.  I am a single mother.  My son is academically very bright-he memorizes street direction within 1-2 trips, he knows his right from left, he can spell 3-4 letter words, he memorizes songs and book within a few times hearing/reading them.  He has always preferred books to toys.  He is very emotionally intelligent-he is extremely empathetic and states, while crying or upset, that he is mad/sad/worried/scared.  However, he is not potty trained.  I have been trying for about 6 months.  He will use the potty at preschool, but refuses to use it at home.  And he does not seem to think for himself.  His conversations are broken and littered with lines from books, songs, and tv.  They do not make sense.  He can't finish a thought.  The other children at his preschool seem so much more advanced with their interpersonal/social/communication skills.  Not many of the children want to play with him.  He yearns so badly to have friends.  When he's at the park, he stops and stares at kids coming in, almost like he's hoping they'll come up to him.  I tell him to talk to them, introduce himself, and he does, but when they start to play, he just imitates them.  He doesn't seem to want to show his own personality, which I know he has.  It's almost as though he's too innocent.  Or maybe just immature.  I'm wondering if it's a developmental disability.  He is so sweet and so smart in some aspects, but so completely behind in others.  Any advice or insights?  Please

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It's not at all clear that anything is wrong with him. He's only three, and many children his age are not yet potty trained. Give him time. Be patient and supportive, and reward him when he is successful. As he becomes more comfortable in the presence of other children he will likely interact better. Talk about this with the staff at the preschool. What do they think? Your expectations may be unrealsitic.

[Della82]

One thing that I thought I would share is about the potty training. A lot of people will not do this, but it does work...let the child be naked , they don't like to get wet or dirty and they will use the bathroom.  My son was potty trained at 18 months because I used this method.  They need to be comfortable with themselves and their bodies and realize what it is that is going on.