ECI (Early Childhood Intervention)

ECI is wonderful and I think it's free. They cover learning disabilities and physical delays or related issues.

Just call them and get an evaluation. They are wonderful people.

Hi A.!

First get an evaluation from ECI (completely free of cost). ECI is based on a plan called family cost share plan. It will depend on your family's income how much you'll pay, but my son has been with them for the past 14 mo. and the first 6 mo. of service we paid nothing at all, after that it's just 20$ a month (and I consider my family middle class). I have nothing, but good things to say about ECI. As far as your pedi, it's her job to notice things and express concerns. I have no doubt that your boy will pick up on walking pretty soon.

T.

My son didn't start walking until he was about 15 mos. And he had no interest before.

My friend's daughter was 16 mos. & not walking. Her ped doc said it wasn't until 18 mos. that they referred them to ECI. Different docs, different kids. Who knows. BTW, my friend's daughter started walking the next week.

A.,
My son was 12 months and not sitting up or crawling; and we had the concerns of our peditrician as well at his 1 year check up. I have been using eci since. I agree - -all children must learn to develop on their own time; however, the whole part of ECI coming into your home is to engage in early intervention. You don't want your child to be delayed when other kids are running circles around them -- it will break your heart. My son had a MRI to rule out a tethered spinal cord (which sometimes causes delays in walking) and even had a MRI of his brain too -- too rule out all possibilities. He is now fine; but I can only say so b/c he was seen by Baylor Our Children's house and ECI for intervention of such. Personally, I like Baylor Our children's House better, b/c they are more agressive in therapy; and afterall, you kinda get what you pay for when something is free and provided for by the state. I say this though, in the same breath - you can hurt yourself or your child by calling ECI -- therapy is like play time for them in both instances. If you would like more infor specifically about either one, please pm me, and I will give you my number, I would love to share my personal experiences with both with you.
Good luck.
K.

if I remember correctly, Albert Einstein didn't walk until he was 3........my cousin's youngest (out of 4) did't walk until she was almost 2...it would not hurt to get him checked out, but I think your ped is incorrect.....many children don't attempt to walk until after their 1st birthday and many walk well before the 1st b-day....every child is different....try getting a 2nd opinion from another ped.....good luck!

Hello! My daughter currently is a physical therapy patient with ECI. According to her PT, you really shouldn't worry about the baby not walking until 15 months or so. My daughter is 14.5 months and just took her first steps this past weekend (and hasn't taken any more steps since).

I don't think you have much to worry about just yet. Once he hits 15 months and hasn't started walking, then you may want to consider calling ECI. Their cost is on a sliding scale, so they will better be able to tell you what it will cost you.

Good luck!

Hi A., my thoughts on this is that if your pedi is only concerned with his interest and nothing else, then I would wait. First, you've heard right - a lot of kids do not walk that early and they are just fine. My story is a different situation but similar in how I know you must be feeling about it. When my son started walking, he walked on his tippy toes (I'm talking straight up like a ballerina or something). He got around fine but we could not get him to put his feet down. So I took him to specialists to be evaluated. Their recommendation was to put him in foot/leg casts for months! You couldn't even force his feet to flex - it's like they just locked that way. So I went home with this information and some exercises they gave me for him and cried forever at the thought of my baby in leg casts. I was confused because these were specialists that knew what they were doing. Not knowing if I was doing the right thing or not, I just never scheduled that appt. to have it done. I worked with that baby every day. Then one day, out of the blue, he just put his feet down and walked on them! It was just a little at first and he still seemed more comfortable on his toes but I knew then that there was nothing wrong with him and he would do it with patience from us and his determination. And he did! After a while he walked just like everyone else. So the point to this very long post (sorry), is that Thank God we have wonderful dr's when we need them but they are not always right. If it makes you feel better then at least get a 2nd opinion. Good luck and hang in there! He will be just fine - trust your instincts! :-)

If you want to contact ECI, I personally see no problem with it. I personally do not understand why the dr is so concerned. My daughter is 13 months today. She crawls everywhere just like yours. She didn't start to crawl until 11 1/2 months. I took her to her 1 yr check up last week. The dr showed no concern that she was not walking or even wanting too. One thing that has helped her is a push toy. Right now she tries to do it on her knees instead of standing. That might help him get motivated! Her's is like a vaccuum. It picks up blocks. Maybe your dr is concerned because he was an early baby. I think it is just easier for them to crawl and much faster so why switch. I really don't think you should worry yourself over this. I'm not. Good luck!

My first son didn't walk until 13 months and my second until 15 months. I'm suprised your ped said he was worried about it. I've always heard that if they aren't walking by 15 months, the ped might be concerned but especially if they aren't walking by 18 months. I know babies taht didn't walk until 18 months. Anyways, I know it is hard to not freak out. My youngest showed no interest whatsoever in walking and then, one day, he just started walking. Just like that. We kept trying to get him to walk between my husband and I (between us) but he wouldn't do that either. Then one day, boom, he started walking. I know it's hard to freak out but seriously, if you are really worried about it, I'd get a 2nd opinion and maybe find a different ped. I think you shouldn't be concerned until he gets to 15 months and then, maybe not even until 18 months. Plus, boys just tend to do things a little slower, in my experience. Your sweet boy may just not want to walk yet. I'm really sorry you were scared by your ped and you feel this way. If it was me, I woudn't get him evaluated and would probably seek out another ped.
C.