As I watch my now 8 year old daughter hop down from the bottom step of the school bus and run to meet me across the street, it’s hard to remember that there was once a time that I was concerned about her motor development. Grace didn’t walk until she was almost 18 months old. She had low muscle tone …
Q&A: Child Pulling on Tongue and Sticking Tongue Out
My daughter has always done strange thing with her tongue. From the second she was born, she had been sticking it out. Now she is pulling on it. She even refuses to drink from a sippy cup. Some children whose tongues protrude from their mouths do so because they have low muscle tone in their mouth, lips and jaw. Some children …
Q&A: What is Abnormal Crawling?
I am a school nurse working with 0-5 year olds. Which types of crawling are considered abnormal? A typical crawling pattern would be considered crawling on hands and knees symmetrically. Most children crawl between the ages of around 6-10 months. Most children progress from belly crawling/combat crawling to hand/knee crawling. Crawling is a very important motor milestone that should not …
Q&A: 5 Month Old Won’t Put Weight on Arms
I have a few concerns about my 5 1/2-month-old daughter. She has strong neck control and holds her head very steady. However, when on her stomach, she won’t push up hardly at all. She lifts her head, but never uses her arms to push up. She also really doesn’t try to roll at all. If you leave her on her …
Q&A: 12 Month Old Not Crawling or Standing
My granddaughter is 12 months old; she is not crawling, standing nor pulling up to walk around the furniture yet; she does not talk; she just makes a little crowing by the mouth. I also notice that she sits up now, but for about 5 minutes and then she reaches her arms up for her mommy or me to pick …
Q&A: Exercises for Baby Not Walking
My daughter is 10 months old and she was evaluated by a PT for motor gross skills (early Intervention Program). She tested at 5 months for locomotion. Her muscle tone is within normal limits. She sits up, rolls both ways, pivots. She reached all these milestones late, around 7.5 months. She doesn’t bear weight on her legs. When I try …
Q&A: 17 Month Old Baby Not Walking
My 17 month old was born at 36 weeks gestation. I think he has gross motor delays. His language skills and fine motor skills are excellent but he has never crawled and didn’t walk (only cruised) until 16 months of age. He cannot get into a standing position without assistance unless he can pull up and doesn’t really bend over …
Q&A: 5 Month Old Not Grabbing Toys & Not Bearing Weight on Legs
My son is 5 months. I’m not concerned about his social interaction at all. He is a happy, “talkative,” and smiling baby. However, there are two things I’m concerned with regarding his motor skills. 1. Reaching for toys. Ethan met the guidelines for batting at toys but just now started to reach for them. When he does reach for them, …
Q&A: Child with Possible Fine Motor Delay
I teach a child with possible fine motor delays and maybe some sensory issues. He’s almost 3. He cannot put on even simple shoes with straps; he cannot cut at all with scissors; he doesn’t really draw any recognizable shapes, doesn’t eat well with a spoon, can’t peel up stickers, or properly work a soap pump. The thing that concerns …
Q&A: Child With Noonan’s Syndrome Cannot Sit or Stand
My son has been diagnosed with Noonan’s Syndrome. He is presently on the medication Verapamil. However, he is now 15 months old and still shows no indication of desiring to sit up and his legs cannot support his body. He holds up his head in an erect position but it seems that the his muscular and bone development to support …