My daughter is 3 1/2 and has always been a little slow achieving her motor milestones but always had right before the cutoff for evaluation. For example crawled at 11 months .. Walked at 17 1/2 months. The doctors always said she is fine some are just more cautious etc. I also pointed out around the 2 year old mark that when she ran she looked like if she went fast she was going to fall or her body was straining to keep straight. There are no apparent problems when she walks. Her doctor took another look at three and said wait until 3 1/2 and if I still had concern we could schedule a neuro visit but she thought everything was fine. Just yesterday we were at a party at a kids play place with a bunch of her daycare friends and they were a running fast and taunting my daughter to catch them and she was running a running until her face was red trying to. The kids knew she couldnt tag them and kept calling tag us tag us. She also got stuck trying to climb on level on a play structure that the others could hop right up on but finally after a few times got it. It wasnt easy for her though. My heart broke at this party. I'm second guessing going with he doctors confidence that all is ok. I don't know if she is just clumsy and arkward or has a real issue.
I will also point out she is sensitive with her emotions and loud noises. Picky with her clothing and food but is slowly growing outbid these things. Otherwise completely happy and atypical
Sorry so long... I look forward to your input and experience
I'd recommend getting a consultation with an occupational therapist. My 3 year old goes to one because he is autistic and he had some motor skill issues and etc. It really has helped him.
You should still seek a professional opinion if you're worried, but from what I just read, you don't have anything to worry about yet. I teach gymnastics and have been for 20 years. At three years old there is a HUGE range of "normal" for motor skill development. Some three year olds can jump with 2 legs, roll, swing etc. Others can't run yet and have a hard time walking straight, say nothing about jumping with 2 feet or going upside down. I just had two 3.5 year olds in my class today, one could walk on the balance beam all by herself and the other couldn't jump off a beam that was 2 inches from the ground. Both kids are "normal." Your doctor is correct in telling you to wait until 3.5, your daughter may catch up.
I have a little girl in our program that I've known since she was 2 years old. At 2 years old her mom kept apologizing because she couldn't do anything in the class and was the worst one! She continued with our program, at 3 years old she was still the worst one in the class, and at 4 she was still in the lowest level. She's 9 now, and I'm proud to say she's our top gymnast, and she won gold in our last 3 meets.
You might look into a gymnastics program. A parent-tot class would give you daughter a chance to practice her motor skills in a safe environment. Plus a knowledgeable coach could give you ideas on what to do at home to improve as well. I've seen many kids come in clumsy and leave our class much more coordinated! Your daughter doesn't have to be the next Shawn Johnson, but she may have fun and learn somethings in the process!
Good Luck!
Make an appointment with an occupational therapist. Pediatricians often miss this kind of thing. Physical therapy and pediatric developmental Optomitry also may help you. Your gut is right, get the evaluation. If the OT sees reason for a Nuerologist, they will direct you there.
M.
honestly it doesnt slound like anything is wrong. it sounds like shes just an individual and not a robot that is supposed to do certain things when everyone else does. i would listen to ur dr.
My niece had the same problems. She saw PT, OT and speech from age 2 to age 10. Now she's fine. It helped her alot. She's also very sensitive.
Kmom717,
Always trust your gut. make an appointment with her pediatrician to discuss these concerns. If there *is* something going on, then it's always better to know sooner rather than later. The sooner she gets help, the better.
That said, I had O. of those "awkward" kids. He was always a bit clumsy, slower than the other kids, etc. He's almost 8 and he's a great baseball player! (He's still not a lightning bolt from home to first but, hey, all kids are different.)
I guess what I'm saying is that it's not unusual for a kid to be slower, clumsy, etc., but if there IS something going on--the sooner it's addressed, the better.
You can ask your ped to prescribe an OT evaluation.
She will probably be a pianist noy a gymnast. Kids have diff strenghts. That being said u should probably get her evaluated. Better to be safe than sorry
As a parent and an educational therapist who teaches occupational therapists and educators about the root causes of learning strugles I suggest that you listen to your instincts. It appears that your daughter has a retained Moro reflex which is a developmental stage typically dending by 4 months. But don't worry because she can still get through this stage with simple exercises. Lokkk for an OT who is well versed in "primitive reflexes" and how to integrate them. Not all OTs are trained in this. If you cannot find one search on the internet for a DVD that will show you how to do it.
When my child was little the professionals said there was nothing wrong. Finally in 6th grade she was diagnosed as a classic case by a wonderful OT. You know best. Good luck!
This sounds just like my nephew. He crawled at 12 months and walked at 17. The doctors said that he is low muscle toned. He sees a physical therapist and they give his mom tips on how to help him. Though from what I've read it's not something that can be changed by strengthening his muscles but rather it is caused by signals form the brain. Everything I have read says that by around the age of 9 or 10 you probably will not be able to tell a difference from the other kids. I would check out your early intervention program and and get her tested. If she doesn't qualify it can at least give you an idea of areas you can work with her on. I am by no means an expert, but have done a little reasearch because of my nephew.
