Hey you any folks with older kids who toe walk? Has there been anything that has helped? Is there anything we need to be concerned about long term with feet/ joint pain or discomfort?
My daughter 3 is a toe walker. We have been consistently working on this for a year. Her issue is sensory input seaking. Booties helped teach her what flat footed is - gave her point of reference . Stretching out the calves really important- wish I had started this sooner - very beneficial. Coaching to play in squat position great too. Anything you can do to encourage flat footing is so worth it - as it improves balance . We have also started regular physio which is teaching me to coach her better . Hope this helps.
Suggestion for Parents of a TOE WALKER.......I almost forgot .....To answer the other part of your Question in regards to TOE WALKERS and wether it can cause Any Problems.......The answer is a DEFINATE and Absolute YES! Toe walking can cause Shortening of the Heel Cord which can be extremely Uncomfortable and Painful.As the Heel cord tightens it Shortens and it will become not only terribly Uncomfortable but at some point in time Impossible whenever your child decides he Wants or Needs to Flatten his Feet or Puts Weight down on them.This problem could require Surgery where they have to CLIP or CUT the Achilles Tendon Cord to prevent pain and make it easier to walk normally.There also other Conditions that alot of Women Suffer from because of wearing HIGH HEELS too Often or for Long periods of time.These same conditions can also be a problem for Toe Walkers so you might want to GOOGLE It and LOOK up the NAME of the Other Problems and Conditions that occur in Women who frequently wear HIGH HEELS.Toe walking can also cause alot of Un Necessary Constant Weight and Un Necessary and Un Natural Pressure on the BALL of the Foot.Pro longed Toe walking can also cause the front of the Foot to spread And Cause BUNIONS even in Children.
@A MyAutismTeam Member Im conpletely grabbed by your faughtets story. I must investigate this as our son has been fecally impacted tip toe walker..well..since forever, last Jan 2017 its been trips to a&e...hes on contraction medication for the spasms and movicol stool softner plus pro biotic VSL3 but I never heard of mega colon..this is lighting up alarm bells in me! Thank you x
To the Parent of theTOE WALKER..............One of my children Was and actually STILL IS a TOE WALKER.......I also knew someone who as an AVID Toe Walker developed the Shortened Tendon problem and ended up needing Surgery to help correct the Long term Damage that was done.Not to sound Negative but DOCTORS dont worry a whole lot about problems that MIGHT Possibly Occur unless it could end up being LIFE THREATENING.Actually your Childs Pediatrician will likely end up telling you NOT to Worry about it and that its Not a Real Concern...........The Pediatrician will probably be wondering even if He Doesnt Ask........ WHY you are SO Concerned about something the Pediatrician considers as something TRIVIAL.
Thank you again to all of you who took the time reply. @A MyAutismTeam Member that is a lot of stuff there. I appriciaite your thoroughness. I'm going to have to get to googling and definitely bring this up with the pediatrician. Thanks to everyone who took the time! @MyAutismTeam users...