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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
mclere
member
15 1/2 month not walking pedi said cut off is 16 months?
mclere
member
SO my daughter isn't walking unassisted yet. She can cruise all over the place and pushes her walker or anything else she can find all over the house. We've seen progression with her like letting go of things to stand on her own. The time has progressed longer and longer over a period of weeks. She's also been able to pick up a large ball while standing with it over her head, then falls on her butt. She does tip toe walk most of the time. Only when waking, she is capable to standing flat footed. Today was her 15 month appointment and her pedi said her cut off is 16 months if she isn't walking on her own to get her evaluated by neurologist. Then she asked me about what protein she is taking that she needs muscle tone. This seems crazy to me. She eats very well and eats lots of protein. She has strong legs otherwise she wouldn't be able to push the things around she does. Just this morning she climbed onto the side of the pack n play so she could try and get in.
I mentioned to the pedi I thought the range of normal was to 18 months. She sorta laughed and mentioned me googleing and said her cut off was 16 months. Seems extreme to me to take her to that kind of specialist and I doubt my insurance would cover it. I really don't want to take her. I would if I wasn't seeing a stready progression but we are. Has anyone had to have their lo evaluated? Who did you take them do & what was done?
Also told her I think she is focused on talking more than walking. She knows over 40 words and around 30 signs. She very smart even knowing two shapes and 3 different colors.
Hate how the doctor's office can make you start having doubt.
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Re: 15 1/2 month not walking pedi said cut off is 16 months?
If your pedi said your child had low muscle tone, that is totally different than strength. Personally I would rather see an unnecessary specialist than miss something.
I think you're right in thinking she's ok because she is making progress and it's not like she's two and not walking. A neuro Eval isn't a huge deal and your insurance will cover if your pedi refers.
If you are really not pleased with your pedi's response, I would absolutely get a second opinion. It never hurts. It may help settle the worries. Your daughter sounds right on par for what she should be doing, and maybe even a bit advanced. Guaranteed, she will be walking soon enough!
While I have also read that 18 months is the typical cut off, I would seriously consider taking his/her advice. They are the experts and see many, many children each year.
A neuro eval can only help your LO... it's not like getting one will hurt her in any way. Your insurance should cover a it if your pedi refers you. It is just so important to be on top of things because, generally, the earlier you catch a delay/issue, etc the better. You can then get in to EI, PT, OT, or whatever is recommended. Also, you may not get an appointment to see a neurologist for several weeks... why not book the appointment, and if she starts walking, cancel it?
Also, FWIW, many children have a gross motor delay yet have average/above average language skills. The two don't need to go hand in hand (although with many disorders, both a physical and cognitive deficit are present).
Good luck, I know it is hard to think about your LO this way. In all likelihood she is fine, but early intervention can make such a difference it is always best to err on the side of caution.
My son was not walking at his 15 month appointment. His pedi was not concerned at all. He started walking on his 17 month birthday. His focus had been on climbing and talking. He's more cautious and didn't want to walk until he was mentally ready. He's the 4th child I've raised and the earliest talker, already using 2 word sentences. Your DD is focusing on other things and that is completely ok. I wouldn't worry about it and certainly would not take her to a specialist. I'd consider getting a new pedi too.
Agree.
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My son didn't walk until 14 months. He was in PT for torticollis. They suggested using a rope (we used a dog leash) and have him hold on to that while you have the other end. You can tighten it or loosen it depending on how well he does. The next day my LO started walking. Yes, it looked ridicilous walking him around the house on a "leash", but it worked.
Also, FWIW, I worked with infants for 7 years in a daycare. We had a little girl walk at 18 months. It was no big deal. She actually crawled on her knees until then... wouldn't even really cruise.
Don't stress!
DS didn't walk until he was a few days shy of 17 months. He actually walked on his knees for months before that. He is very cautious. When he finally started walking, he could walk sideways, backwards, and carry a big bouncy ball within hours taking his "first" steps. I swear, he was practicing in secret!
Your daughter sounds just fine. She is working on the skills even though she is not yet walking independently.
I am not saying doctors are without flaw by any means, I have pushed back on doctors many times.
That being said, your pediatrician has gone through EXTENSIVE schooling, training, and has seen many children. I totally disagree with PP that you should flat out ignore what she is saying.
Unless you are a doctor yourself, I would call her office back and ask follow up questions.
If a pediatrician said my daughter had muscle tone issues I would ask a bunch of questions and then follow the recommendation. Better to intervene unnecessarily and fix a potential issue than to ignore a recommendation and set your daughter even further behind.
If your pedis cut off is 16 months, then it is 16 months. She didn't arbitrarily pick that age. She picked that age because of her own experience and research which is FAR deeper than any of us random non-doctors on the internet.
Ignore Pedi/get new pedi. IF your daughter wasn't making any other milestones at all, then it might be something to look into more deeply. But it sounds like her fine motor control and communication/social skills are doing great, and like she's pretty strong with the pushing and climbing.
Our daughter has been late with all her gross motor skills (didn't crawl until after 10 months, didn't pull up to standing/cruise until after 13 months, only really starting to get the walking thing now at 16 months). My doctor did get a BIT tetchy about the not pulling to stand thing, but then LO stood up the day after the appointment. But as she pointed out, babies can only work on one or two things at a time, so other things get left behind. For our daughter, that has always been the big movement stuff. After all, she didn't have to get up and get something if she could say 'kitty' or make the sign for 'more' or 'go', etc.
You might want to give your child more opportunity for walking, i.e. possibly remove any push toys so that she moves around more on her own. But that's up to you. By age 3, it'll all even out.
I was reading all comments and was about to reply when I saw yours! Yay!!
My DD didn't walk on her own until 15 months. I could tell there was nothing wrong, she was just scared to let it go. She is 19 months old and walking perfectly. Don't worry!!