lisann Report post Posted October 25, 2005 Hi all Just wondered if anyone else has problems with their children walking? C will only walk a short distance and need a buggy or to be picked up for the rest of the way.He is 3 stone and it hurts my back to carry him but he won't walk he just cries and says " It hurt,I tired" He can run around at things like parties or at the local in door play land but won't walk. I do know he has lacks joints in his feet but has never had any physio on them. Does any one else have this problem or is it just me? lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mossgrove Report post Posted October 25, 2005 Our son (7, AS) has flat feet and it hurts him to walk significant distances. He has just had an appointment with a pysiotherapist and he will be getting special insole that should improve his gait and prevent his knees from knocking. I'll update you when we know how it's working! Simon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baileyj Report post Posted October 25, 2005 My son Max, 5, won't walk, but its mainly about panic or unfamiliar places, I don't think its anything physical. We got him a Maclaren Major buggy via our OT, its a lifesaver and should last till he's about 10. We get nagged by family, "you should make him walk", but I ignore it, if he feels happier and more secure in his buggy then thats fine by me, if Max relaxed, then so am I, I don't see the point of forcing him to walk, and all the fallout that goes with it. Jo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Noetic Report post Posted October 25, 2005 (edited) I was a late walker and then a "walking refuser" (and a toe walker indoors, where I had less of a problem), too. A lot of the time, the problem for me was balance (I panicked and got very dizzy at the slightest slope or slipperiness), motor control and anxiety relating to visual processing (things looked more difficult to cross than they really were) and fear of new places. Perhaps getting OT for his joints might help as there is no point in encouraging him to walk if he's genuinely in pain. Edited October 25, 2005 by Noetic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusyLizzie100 Report post Posted October 25, 2005 (edited) I'll just add to Noetic's post: and maybe OT for possible Sensory Integration Dysfunction? My son is nearly six but had similar probs. SI therapy has helped him to walk up and down stairs, among other things. Lizzie Edited October 25, 2005 by BusyLizzie100 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Noetic Report post Posted October 25, 2005 I'll just add to Noetic's post: and maybe OT for possible Sensory Integration Dysfunction? My son is nearly six but had similar probs. SI therapy has helped him to walk up and down stairs, among other things. Lizzie True, I forgot that such things are available for kids. But of course if for him the problem is with his joints, then it might not be an SI issue as such (or perhaps it is one of oversensitivity of the soles, I believe it was Donna Williams who mentioned at the Awares conference about some problems with toe walking and refusing to walk being down to not liking the feel of the whole foot on the floor). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mandyque Report post Posted October 25, 2005 I would get his ankles looked at as a first resort, see if he is really in pain. If not then it could be that it is his way of saying that he doesn't want to walk any more. It could be a sensory thing, distraction ort disturbance of something around him or a change in routine, or it could simply be boredom or laziness. Generally a good way of sussing it out is to make notes, mentally or written, about when he refuses to walk. With my dd it's usually when she can't get her own way, change of route or if we are going somewhere she doesn't want to go. Sometimes it can be more subtle than that though, e.g. if something she wants at the shops has been put in a different place, she will still go to the same place it was before and won't move to search for it elsewhere. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Malika Report post Posted October 26, 2005 Hi My son has flat feet he is 8 now and can get very tired when he has to walk a lot mind the school is at 25 mns walk and up to 5 1/2 I would have to bring him with the buggy at time it is just because children laugh at him at school that he refused to use it any longer. Last year I went to the GP who gave me the most amazing answer "Don,t worry about it I always had flat feet and I am fine now he will get use to it, there is nothing we can do about it " as I was waiting for the OT assesment I did not insist but may be it is time to have another go at the GP. Malika. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirstie Report post Posted October 26, 2005 Hi all, Lisa i know where you're coming from here, my son has boundless amounts of energy but when it comes to walking (and not particularly far either) he complains his knees are sore. He does have sensory integration dysfunction alongside his AS but when i mentioned it to his OT she said i should take Lewis to my GP. Does this happen more often when your boy is walking uphill or on uneven surfaces? Lewis's feet are pretty flat mind you so i'm not altogether sure yet why he gets sore, sorry, not much help to you i know, but i thought i'd let you know you're definatley not alone in this. Take care, Kirstie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treetree Report post Posted October 27, 2005 my daughter alicia exactly the same she complains her legs her says i need to take her to the doctors after school dinner when no grownups around she five or if my 18 month old gets out of the pram she will climb in or expect my eldest who is 10 to push the pram while i carry her she also had meningitis in march and as a result drags her leg a little shes being diagnosed at the moment for aspergus and pdla so no your not on your own so dont worry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirstie Report post Posted October 27, 2005 <'> Aw Teetree you've had a really crappy time! I'm sorry! Love Kirstie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisann Report post Posted October 27, 2005 Treetree Yes you do seam to be having a rough deal at the moment.Char too had Meningitis when he was 3 weeks old though wonder if it is related to the walking. P.S Thanks everyone for responses I will get him checked out in his next visit to the PED'. Lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jadensmum Report post Posted October 27, 2005 Treetree <'> <'> A lot of the time, the problem for me was balance (I panicked and got very dizzy at the slightest slope or slipperiness), motor control and anxiety relating to visual processing (things looked more difficult to cross than they really were) and fear of new places. As I read this Noetic, I am sure this is how my son is feeling!!! J walked at 21 months. He walks on his tip toes (some "special" boots are on the way for him - forget what they are called ) He has very little sense of direction or balance and won't walk very far anyway. He can't tackle steps / stairs / slopes and whenever the ground changes, for example from grass to tarmac he will stop and it's a nightmare to get him over that boundary. Bless him Denisex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jadensmum Report post Posted October 27, 2005 I can't do quotes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarahjane Report post Posted October 28, 2005 H can walk fine when he wants to but is reluctant in stange places. We have just been to disneyland in paris and he had to be pushed in a buggy the whole time at the age of 7! I think he felt safer in there than in the crowds, he occasionly got out in the less busy parts. However it meant i felt less guilty about getting the disabled pass which was excellent and queue jumoing ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiabolicalSpoon Report post Posted October 28, 2005 The only problem I had with walking when I was that age was walking too much. I had ADHD at the time and had to be taken on at least a 4 mile walk every day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Noetic Report post Posted October 28, 2005 (edited) I can't do quotes Hi, Thanks for your comments - about the quotes, I think you had them the wrong way round (the one with the / comes after the quoted text) On a general note, what helped me overcome the problem (or rather it made me challenge the problem) was when I learned to read - the first time I went on a walk with my parents without making a fuss was when I started reading the plaques on plants in a local park. Edited October 28, 2005 by Noetic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treetree Report post Posted October 28, 2005 just bought my son new pram as the old one was alicias ,was going to the shops yest and she asked if she could go in the pram but when music comes on shell start dancing : but it is hard work as when her legs hurt she will sit on the floor and refuse to move which when you have to get to school is a nightmare .It now takes me half an hour maybe longer to what was a ten min walk even worse if cold and raining Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest hallyscomet Report post Posted October 29, 2005 Hi My son had the same trouble. If you go to a Podiatrist they recommend Orthotic insoles in their shoes. But you can spend $400. a pair. If you go to your sports store and in the shoe department they sell them for $40 these are the soft flexible often, and it is like walking on air and takes the stress out of walking therefore they enjoy walking... it improves their arch taking less stress and helps knees and posture. Teaching them yoga type exercises helps strengthen their legs too!! Cheers <'> Hailey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viper Report post Posted October 29, 2005 I have a Mclaren major for Ben suplied by the OT, Ben is 5. I home educate so don't have the problem with kids at school laughing at him but do have to walk 20 mins each way to take my DD to school. I get funny looks from parents but take no notice as most of them have just driven their kids to school, whats the diference, their kids don't walk either. Viper. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treetree Report post Posted October 29, 2005 i coulndt agree wth you more i might just after say that to someone when they make a comment like that that should shut them up pretty quick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Malika Report post Posted October 29, 2005 Hi Viper Couldn't agree more I remembered feeling so angry with people, children laughing and adult even comming to me saying let him walk it's good for him then seeing them 3 mns afterward getting in their car just parked outside the shool while I had to walk for another 25 mns. Malika. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deb Report post Posted October 30, 2005 hi... this is my first post here... the ep thinks my daughter has aspergers tendencies and I've been lurking here looking for answers.... My daughter is aged 9 and for as long as I can remember she has complained about achy knee's and legs.. anyway her OT said that daughter is hypermobile and this causes her ankles to turn in and the knees to move in... she was refered to a orthotist and she now has these inserts for her shoes to support her arch... she said this feels better.... the EP said a lot of children with aspergers are hypermobile! glad that I could help... Deb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viper Report post Posted October 30, 2005 Hi Deb, welcome to the forum. Glad you decided to post. Viper. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisann Report post Posted October 30, 2005 Hi ya Deb Glad you decided to join us friendly bunch with lots to offer. Lisa x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Noetic Report post Posted October 30, 2005 A related anectode on this: I didn't like to be held, but being carried was always preferable to walking. When I was about 4, we went for a walk with my auntie and uncle, my auntie being heavily pregnant at the time. When I had enough, I stood in front of her and declared [in Swiss German so roughly translated]: "May carry now!" - and was gutted when she 'refused' the offer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainbow queen Report post Posted October 30, 2005 i was also told my son is hyper mobile and he had pedro boots when he was bit younger with inserts in to help- i may consider asking about them again[free] as he still seems so clumsey and walks odd/shaky. it will really is hard work to get him to keep up and walk-he was in a buggy for lot longer than he should of-because it was easyer that way. even now at 4 he struggles,and can freeze up on pavement over slightest thing which usually occurs if we disgreeing on something!!!!!!!!!!! which is very often he hardly ever looks where he is going and will walk on edge of footpath,has no road sense and makes me really nervous-i have to be really concentrating on him all the time as hes very much a liability Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted October 31, 2005 My daughter is also hypermobile and has difficulty in walking far. She tires easily when she has exerted herself. She is seeing a physiotherapist who is giving her exercises to strengthen her muscles - she explained that if the joints are lax the muscles have to work harder to provide both stability and flexibility, basically they are doing the work the ligaments should be doing. She was wedded to a pair of old comfy shoes but now we have persuaded her to wear better fitting trainers her walking has improved. We are also trying to swim regularly as this is the best exercise for lax joints because of the support the water gives. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisann Report post Posted November 2, 2005 Hi all Quick update Char ped' has refered him to a specialist who can decide if he needs some special insoles.She did say it is quite normal for AS ASD children not to like being in the crowds and feel safe in a buggy.Things like their rigidaty makes walking imposible and not part of thier routine. Lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
