Sometype of Muscle Weakness

Sounds just like my daughter, who is now 22 months old. At her 1 year check up her dr also suggested pt for her. She was not pulling up, not crawling..she did the army crawl too. She couldn't get into a sitting position from laying, etc..pretty much everything you described. We did get her evaluated, she qualified for pt and ot. However, they took so long to get the ball rolling with it, that by the time they called us to set up any appointments, Ashlynn started pulling up, crawling, sitting etc. We just said forget it to the therapy since she seemed to be progressing on her own. She now is walking and seems perfectly fine. The only thing she still does is walk with a bit of a stomp, but I think she will grow out of that, when she runs it is more heel to toe. Anyway...I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone, and I know how worried I was when my daughters doctor suggested pt for her and said she had low muscle tone. Hang in there. Oh, i should also say that my daughter was almost 20 months before she started walking...and there is no stopping her now. At her 18 month check up, her doctor wasn't as worried becuase had started crawling with her belly off the floor, and pulling up and cruising. She said that if she wasn't walking by her 2 year check up that we should get her re-evaluated. I did do some "excercises" with her to help her strengthen her muscles (had her push against my hands, etc)...not sure if that helped at all. My daughter has always been one to do things in her "own time" when she wants to do something she'll do it, when she doesn't, there's no making her. When she realized that she wanted to keep up with her big brother, and to do that she needed to walk, i think she started trying more..if that makes sense?

Anyway, I hope that wasn't too long winded, just wanted to let you know that I know what your going through. Have you made an apt to get him evaluated yet? I would be interested to hear what they say.

S.

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I agree with everyone else. My daughter also has problems with upper body strength. We didn't realize it was a problem until she was 4 1/2, and were having her evaluated by an OT (occupational therapy) for other issues. She had OT for about 9 months, and has improved greatly. When she was little, we didn't realize how much this problem would affect her ability to participate in sports that her peers take for granted-swimming, gymnastics, dance, etc. and how much her self-confidence would be affected as a result. I wish we had realized the effects on her earlier and gotten help sooner. The earlier your child gets help, the better!

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I agree with the other posters. My son received PT through Early Intervention and it made a huge difference! I don't know where you are located but he went to Rainbow Center which was fantastic! It is in North Aurora just off of I-88 at the Farnsworth exit near the Outlet mall. You can find information about early intervention services through the state of illinois website. Good Luck!!

I would recommend the PT as well. My daughter was born a month early and had low musle tone. It was decided from the beginning that she would have PT through Early Intervention. It was great. The PT came to our home every week for many months, then every other week until we were satisfied that my daughter was reaching her physical milestones. My daughter is now almost 14 months and is not walking on her own but I am not concerned and neither is her pediatrician. You should look into it and have your child evaluated. If nothing else it will give you peace of mind. Good luck.

Hello! You are the best mom that you can be. You are raising a healthy little boy! All kids develop at different rates and your son is moving at a different rate. You want to make sure that he continues to advance in his development. Your brain and nervous system control everything, including your muscle growth. If there is any interference to the nerves, the body just can not do what it is suppose to do. I would have a chiropractor would specializes in kids check him out. Go to www.ICPA4KIDS.org

M.,
There are many great resources available, so it is actually good that your pediatrician is addressing this issue. I have experienced something similar with my son. My advice is to go to the best PT facility that you can-- a facility that regularly serves children. (We went to Loyola, which is near to us.) Anyway, get an evaluation. Then, if your child has more significant delays, he will qualify for the Early Intervention Program. This is a program of the State of Illinois. My son has received excellent help through this program. I highly recommend trying PT and any other therapies that might be recommended, regardless of whether your son might qualify to receive services provided by the State. Take every bit of help that is available to you!
Amy

I certainly don't know your son or your ped but my daughter just started crawling before her first birthday and it was really more of a scoot thing and she wasn't standing for another month after that. She started walking at 15 months and is just fine. Some kids just do things at their own pace and it's stressful on us but he might be just fine, just not ready. YOu can have the state come out and observe him for free. Good luck and I"m sure he'll be fine.