if you toddler was delayed as an infant...

Bruner1

Last week was my son's 6m well visit. He's not rolling/doesn't sit well (even supported)/is still very 'flail-y'/isn't doing very well with solids. But he is growing very well (95th %ile for height/weigh), has decent muscle tone, is a happy kiddo, babbles lots (no consonants yet)

His ped. said I could either wait 4-6 weeks & see if he improves & if not she's write orders for physical therapy, or I could not wait & she'd write the orders now. When I asked her what she would do if he was her son, she replied "send him to PT now, it wont hurt him & it's only going to get more difficult for him to move as he gets bigger".

That brings us to today. We're waiting for the PT's office to call so we may schedule his 1st appt. I'm wondering... did anyone else go through something similar with their child (who is now a toddler)? What was your experience? How is your child doing today?

Google is an awful thing... I need to step away from it & hear real people's exeriences 

 

 

wedsept

My DD wasn't rolling, so we went to PT.  I am glad I did.  It took about 2 or so months of PT, if I recall correctly.  After that, she wasn't delayed in anything.  Now, at age 2, she is a totally normal 2 year old.  It is better to go to PT earlier, rather than later.    

Shayna0182

Dh and I were told at ds's 9 month appointment that he needed physical therapy, because he couldn't sit up on his own or roll over from his back to his tummy and vice versa.  We put it off until he was 12 months, and by that point, he also had major sensory issues as well as needed PT. 

Now ds was a 33 week preemie, so we knew that he would likely need some extra help.   With the help of a PT, OT, and now a Speech therapist - ds is a normal toddler and is about ready to phase out of the Indiana First Steps program at his third birthday.   It took alot of help though, by many people.

Get the help as soon as you can.  You can never go wrong with an evaluation. 

 

LoveEeyore

My first was very behind in all physical milestones- she was talking in sentences before she could walk.  My pedi kept telling me something was wrong and I disagreed and never took her.  She is not exactly graceful, but absolutely able to do everything she should/wants to. 

DS, on the otherhand was pretty much right on with physical milestones, but I pestered pedi from 9 months on that something wasn't quite right.  Physically or socially or verbally.  She kept putting me off as a pushy parent.  I waited until just before his 2nd birthday to refer him to EI and hate myself sometimes for not listening to my gut- he was significantly language delayed and has a number of physical issues.  He gets 2 speech sessions and one OT session a week. He is in a peer social group led by an SLP and gymnastics to help his core issues.  Our lives have basically revolved around his therapy schedule the last year.  And he's fantastic  now- but there is much remorse for waiting. 

Points being, you're mama, what does your gut say?  Therapy is not going to hurt, for sure.  It has helped his shyness, too, because the house has a revolving door of people coming and going.

islelily

I know DS isn't 24mo yet, but I wanted to give our experience. He was behind in his gross motor skills (finally sat up on his own unsupported at 8mo) and we started PT around 4 months.  It is free through our county and she comes to our home twice a month.

DS is finally caught up to fine motor skills and isn't far behind in gross motor. He started crawling at 13 mo, cruising at 13 1/2mo and is now fully walking (started around 16 months -- still within the average 8-18mo range).

I would try not to worry (and NOT Google). It's hard to be in the middle of it all, but it is true -- all kids develop differently! 

lujain

My daughter had some severe delays as an infant.  She received speech therapy and (OT) occupational therapy for a year and a half.  She was diagnosed with developmental delay, a speech disorder, an expressive language disorder, and motor hypotonia.

It took DD a little while to get used to therapy, but she grew to love it.  She had therapy 4 days a week for a long time.  DD is 32 months now, and she's doing great.  She graduated from EI in January, and she is above age level for speech.  Her fine motor and gross motor skills are age-appropriate.  

Some therapists are not so great, and some are fantastic.  DD loved playing with her therapists--there were tons of toys and things to do.  I suggest getting help earlier rather than later. 

I went back to work recently, and DD started preschool.  DD loves preschool.  I think her experience with therapy helped her get used to being away from Mommy for a while.  

Jen&Len

Neither one of my kids rolled on time. DS flipped front to back for the first time around 7 months and DD did it for the first time around 8 months.  They didn't even do accidental flips before that. We did get scolded at their 6 month appointments for not doing enough tummy time.  They both hated tummy time with a passion and once they were able to get on their feet, they were off and running. 

Neither one of them did that thing where they rolled all around the room like some babies do, and they didn't crawl for very long either.  I wasn't too concerned because they did sit up early and showed strength in the standing position. They both started walking at 11 months!!!

But if you feel like your son might need a little help, it wouldn't hurt.