Advise on 5 Year Old with Mild Hypotonia (Low Muscle Tone)

E.,
First of all, in response the the other comment, ECI is not just education. I am not sure why your son wasn't assigned a occupational or physical therapist. ECI is about child development in all areas.
My son also had the same issues. But was ok by age 5. This is a long shot, but is there any indication of connective tissue disorders in either your or your husband's families? These conditions can cause heart/aorta issues. School athletic programs are routinely screening for this.
Also, make sure he is eating appropriately to have energy.
Victoria

My son has hypotonia and we have found activities like swimming works best for him. He does play with the other kids and it breaks my heart when he is so 'behind' but at this age kids are sweet and understanding so it has never really been too much of an issue. for his own esteem, we focus on the swimming though.

this is my son exactly. You posted this years ago, what have you found helpful. I have my son in swimming. Baseball seems like the only feasible team sport (less endurance). I'm trying to decide what direction to steer him as athletics become a bigger part of daily life with peers. thanks!!

ok first undertand that what eci is looking for is educational need, so it may (and sounds probable) be that your child needs ocupational or physical therapy ask your pediatrician for a referral for both and go from there. There are options for getting this paid for a good therapist office can help you if insurance does not pay...

Hi E.,

My situation is a bit different than yours but the issue is the same. My perfectly healthy son was stricken with a sudden and near fatal illness last Sept. that led to a 99 day hospital stay with major physical complications. He had just turned three when he became ill and when we brought him home from the hospital Dec. 17, 2008, he was like an infant again in that he couldn't even sit himself up by himself, much less walk or run. It has been a hard 10 months of rehabilitation but praise God, he is walking and running in his own little way. I say that because like your son, he is still pretty weak, infact his right foot is still clinically dropped because of profound nerve loss that we pray will repair within a year or two. He tires easily just walking around WM much less playing sports. Well, after much thought and consideration, my husband and I decided to enroll him in t-ball this season with his twin brother. Yes, he is slow but we are hoping that the excercise will strengthen him more than hurt him. He can't sit idle while life passes him by because he's not the "perfect" example of athleticism. Probably one day, it may start to bother him and he may choose that sports aren't really the way he wants to spend his energy and talents but for right now, he's having fun and enjoying the time with his twin brother. I will probably not enroll him in soccer, however, because that certainly is a much more active sport and my son would have a terrible time keeping up but with t-ball, the activity level is a bit slower.

My son is still under the care of a therapist so we are pretty blessed that she keeps me in the know of things to do at home. Much of it is just excercises that we try to make fun like squats to strengthen legs and hips, sit ups or crunches to help strengthen the core and abdominal muscles and push ups from the coffee table (standing up). We stretch his ankles and other muscles to keep him loosened up.

Best wishes on your son's progess. Sometimes I catch myself feeling down for what my son has had to endure but God has a way of reminding me to quickly let that go because he is here with us and everyone who knows his story and the details know what a true miracle his life is!

Many Blessings,
Glenda Wilson

My son also had the pronating ankles which caused him to walk late as well as the speech delay. He also tires very quickly compared to the other kids. He was with ECI for over a year and received all of the services offered, but once he hit 3 that all ended. So since your son is 5 you should have him evaluated by his school's physical therapist and if he meets a certain criteria then he can get additional help in the school setting. My son is in PT and OT and goes to a motor lab twice a week to help him to catch up with his peers.