Flat Feet and EI Question
robynlesley
member
Aaron finally had his first PT session through EI yesterday (he also gets ST, DI and OT... we have a proactive team) and the therapist noted that his feet are flat and that his heels turn in. There was a suggestion of shoe inserts.
Anyone else's LO have flat feet and wear orthotics? If so, what type?
Part of me wants to just get the orthotics she suggested but I think I should go to his pediatrician. I almost feel like the pedi is left out of everything as the EI team sees more of his developmental progression.
He also went to an ENT two weeks ago (2nd opinion tomorrow) and I was told he has mild to moderate hearing loss from fluid in his ears. I was told he cannot hear below 25 decibels and that average hearing is at 5. (His speech therapist feels that this affects his diction more than his overall speech development, which is progressing nicely.)
I'm told that everything is intertwined. DS is a bit of a sensory seeker (but the developmental pedi didn't dx with SPD and said "mild sensory issues") and is low tone?but his OT said on the low side of average. His core strength is weak but both the PT and OT said with exercises that it should be fine. I'm not sure how to present this to his pedi and wasn't sure if a follow-up with the developmental pediatrician is warranted.
Despite it all, Aaron is doing really well. lol
Bronx Zoo: Summer 2013
To read my blog, click on the giraffe pic below!
Re: Flat Feet and EI Question
DS2 has issues with his feet. I don't rightly know if they are flat or not but I do think they are since the new PT has talked about building up an arch. He also pronates both feet badly. He has been wearing the Cascade Jumpstart Bunny DAFO for about a year (received/borrowed through EI). We are waiting on his custom AFOs to get done (should be anytime now). The Jumpstart Bunny is prefabricated and it was his EI PT that "prescribed" them. I'll be returning them once we get the AFOs. The new AFOs were prescribed through his current EI/outpatient PT (I've moved states hence why 2 different PTs).
DS2 also has a history of negative pressure and/or fluid in his ears but not a history of ear infections. His hearing tests have all been on the low side of normal to mild hearing loss except for this very last test where he tested within the strong side of the normal range. We have another hearing test coming up and I'm curious to see if the results are the same. If he does have mild hearing loss it isn't anything really affecting his hearing.
As for presenting to the pediatrician, are you wanting them to just be in the loop or are you hoping to hear something different or the same opinion? For me, I keep everyone in the loop so if I was telling my pedi something I'd just come out and say X, Y, Z and make it more of an FYI type of thing and ask what their opinion is.
It's more that I feel that they should be "in the loop" and more about the flat feet, which is a strictly physical issue, than anything else. Aaron hasn't really been tot he pedi for anything other than ear and sinus infections in the last six months and doesn't have a 30 month well visit?so it will be a year between well visits (24 months and 36 months).
I keep thinking re: the flat feet that my insurance may (though probably not) cover some part of the orthotics. That is, unless there is a durable goods exclusion.
Bronx Zoo: Summer 2013
To read my blog, click on the giraffe pic below!
Our insurance covers the orthotics, but will not cover inserts for shoes even if fulfilled by an orthotist.
DS wears AFO's and we only update the pedi at well visits. Wearing AFO's (or for you flat feet) isn't going to affect his overall health so to me it's not something that I feel we have to report to the pedi. If DS is hospitalized or sees a new specialist then it's something we report to the pedi.
Nate has Cascade SMO's that were prescribed by an orthopedist and custom fitted to his foot. (he pronates and is flat footed)
Insurance did cover most of the cost (over 2 grand) but we had to shell out about 250 because we hadn't met our deductable yet.
I do not keep our pedi in the loop other than to update her during our current visit regarding what has changed since the last visit. She is cc'd on all reports from the specialists we see automatically.