Toe walking

ryansmamaxo

Okay so I have been asking everyone and anyone about this trying to find an answer. My DS is 27 months and has walked on his toes since he started walking. He does it all the time, even in sneakers, even when he runs for the most part. He has a mild to moderate speech delay, his speech level is at 12 months but rapidly improving with therapy. His speech comprehension level is 33+ months (so he understands and responds to commands, makes gestures and knows exactly what you are saying to him very well). We have him in speech therapy twice a week and he also goes to the chiropractor once a week. The chiro at first said his hips were out of line so adjusting may help the toe walking. Then she mentioned the speech delay may have a correlation. His therapist and pediatrician have both said he's no where close to anywhere on the autistic spectrum so I can rule that out. It may in fact just be habit but he shows no signs of improving ....does anyone else have a child who does this, or have any experience or advice??? I would love to just know WHY he does it and how I can help him stop (if possible). Also, his therapist told us he is not eligible for early intervention because his delay is not severe, but a friend who works for early intervention said if he has ANY speech delay and toe walking he would be eligible. This would be so much easier if someone could come to my home instead of dragging him out twice a week for 30 min sessions. WWYD? Continue with therapy or have him evaled for EI??? Thanks!!

AmandaP678

Sounds like my son minus the toe walking. My son has a speech delay too but his receptive language and following complex directions is through the roof.

I would call EI yourself. If hes only speaking at 12 month old level but comprehends at 33month old I would theink the discrepancy would be enough.

Have him evaluated the worst that happens is they deny him

And toe walking is very normal in toddlers.

Its 4 am here and I've been up since 3 so sorry if this is choppy and doesnt make sense lol. 

LoveEeyore

You can self refer to EI and I would.  Often toe walking is related to tight tendons, and either hypertonia OR hypotonia.  I would ask for an eval- a speech therapist, an OT and a PT all evaluated my DS> he was evaluated at 23 months to be at a 12 month speech level.  This more than qualified him for speech.  He had tone issues, but not a 50% delay that would qualify him but they offered PT anyway.  While we declined, point is they were very generous with what they offered.

In the meantime, you can try massaging ankle to calf.  Maybe get a toddler yoga DVD and teach him to do the stretches.  I've had private kiddos not get it looked at and required botox in the calves to treat it like around 8. 

MaxandRuby

Call EI. THEY will be the ones to determine if he qualifies for services or not.

DS2 (2yr) toe walks but it is due to his special needs. I've heard/read that toe walking could be a sensory thing due to the joint compression of doing it. Maybe the tendon is too short or something that is causing him toe walk (as in, maybe it is uncomfortable for him to use flat feet if the muscle behind his heel that runs up the leg is tight). Does he stand on his toes too or just walk on his toes?

Again, I'd call EI. Never hurts to get another opinion.

macchiatto

It certainly couldn't hurt to have EI do an evaluation. Even if he doesn't qualify for services they might be able to give you some helpful suggestions.

Mbitner

I would def get a referral to EI and let them determine if he qualifies.  LO gets EI, OT, PT, and SLP...he does tow walk.  His PT says his toe walking is due to his hypertonia (high tone) and need for sensory input.  There are many reasons though that a child toe walks.  GL! 

soapymk

my neice did this and eventually couldnt walk on her feet only her toes because her ligaments didnt stretch since she never used them, I would mention it to the DR and see what  they suggest better sooner than later, you dont want him to have to have surgery to lengthen his ligaments