Hello. My 19.5 month old son is still not walking. Believe it or not, he walks and sometimes runs on his knees. At 15 months we were referred to a neurologist at my request. I am concerned because most of his milestones were either early or within normal range. The neurologist evaluated him and suggested we come back at 19months if he wasn't crusing. He is now crusing and stands up to play with his fisher price toys so there is progess. The Neurologist mentioned PT, which I have since arragned and we had our consultation yesterday. The PT was wonderful but she mentioned that my sons muscle tone is on the low side of normal and I just don't understand it. When we looked online and in our toddler 411 book---it points to other serious issues. We decided to take him back to the neurologist but that means putting my son through an MRI---which I am so upset about having him do that. I feel like I dropped the ball and should have had these questions answered at 15 months instead of waiting. Has anyone dealt with this???? Tx in advance, I'm a wreck.
Lori,
Sorry for the stress you are going thru. My daughter had low muscle tone and I didn't know either. She was early to sit but then sort of didn't do anything else. She didn't roll from her stomach to her back until 10 month or crawl til 11-1/2 months. We had her evaulated by early intervention and she qualified for services - she was 11 months when she was evaluated.
We saw a gross motor specialist within early intervention. Some of the tips I was given to work with her for the low muscle tone were to make her crawl up stairs. Also to put several quilt/comforters on the floor (we do this on the bed - it's softer and harder for them to move - which is the point) and put pillows around. Some under the blankets and some above. And have your son crawl and roll and try and maneuver around in the blankets. You can even make a game out of it by hinding toys in the blankets and pillows that he needs to find. My daughter had trouble with this at first. It really helped her built up muscle tone.
I don't know where you live but in Arlington there is Together in Motion. They have a playspace with lots of foam forms for the kids to roll around on and crawl thru and such. Something like this would be good to take him to. You can check out gym's also for this type of activity.
Also we had a little boy who walked on his knees first as well. One of the things we all took turns with doing - just to give his mom a break - is to help walk with him. Hold his hands and tell him to walk. Tell him to pick up his feet and walk. Anything like that. You might need someone else to help move his feet if he doesn't understand what you mean in the beginning. This little boy walked within a few months of doing this.
For hand strength you can play tug-of-war with a sock. My daughter likes to take her socks off when she is on the changing table. So I try and pull them away - not to hard but to make her work at holding onto the sock.
Another thing for hand strength is play-doh. I play with my daughter but having her squeeze it between her hands is good. Also I just got her play food that comes in 2 pieces and has velco to keep it together. She loves to pull it apart.
Now my daughter is 17 months - just yesterday and she was re-evaluated today to see if she still qualifies for ei or not and she does not. She still isn't the greatest eating - part of her low muscle tone so I still need to work with her on texture and jaw strength but she is doing well. Hope this helps.
Leeanne M
you son should not have to have an mri just because he has low muscle tone. you should talk to his doctor about this and ask them to refer you to a prosthetist.my daughter is 11 and has autism and from what i read he may jsut be developing slowly . i took my daughter who was a toe walker for so long that now she wears plastic braces that will help her to stop walking on her toes. also physical therapy is wonderful for kids also but i strongly suggest seeing the prsthesist first. hop this helps
Hi Lori,
Try not to worry though I know it is hard. I also have a 20 month old who cannot walk. :( Like your son, she cruses on furniture, walks on her knees and plays on her knees. We give her physical therapy and early intervention. The PT has really helped. I highly recommend getting PT for your son. You can do it through his pediatrician or through Early Intervention. Our daughter is still very behind but with the PT she has made HUGE progress. The low muscle tone is nothing you did and may even correct itself. Try not to worry. It sounds like your son is doing great in many other areas. :)
Feel free to write me back if I can be of any help. It is very frustrating to see 14 month olds walking and to know that your child can't. I am in the same boat!