Guest guest Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Toe walking can mean many things. Some therapists believes toe walking means that the calf muscles are tight, and thus treat it by stretching the muscles through exercise, casting or surgery. However, the results are less than optimal. Some therapists believe toe walking means that the child is hypersensitive to touch, and the child will walk on the toes to decrease the amount of surface area of the foot that touches the floor with each step. This is possible, however, to me, I would imagine that walking on the heels, wear socks don't have seams, would be the more natural way of reducing the touch sensations to the foot. The treatment would be therapies to reduce the sensitivity, such as a brushing protocal. Some therapists believe that toe walking means the child's body is seeking out proprioceptive (muscle contractions and joint compression/distraction) input. The treatment for this would be to add more proprioceptive sensations in the child's routine, which may include a brushing protocal. Some therapists believe that toe walking means the child's body is trying to increase its muscle tone, as its resting muscle tone is not sufficient for the task at hand. I notice that I come up on my toes when I carry the 5 gallon bucket of water I use to clean my fish tank. All of these theories really explain the same phenomenon in different languages. They could be explained by a digestive or nutritional deficit, however, the digestive or nutritional deficit may be caused by something else, including the low muscle tone and sensory processing deficits. Nash Physical Therapist Little Star Developmental Services Realmyth Associates http://littlestar.realmyth.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 If the child has constant bowel issues...particularly, constipation or extremely loose stools that can indicate bowel obstruction you will have toe walking also...cleaning up the digestive track and detoxing can help with toe walking. This is not sound science...it is only word of mouth by other moms...toe walking may alliviate pressure on the lower body. My two cents. > Toe walking can mean many things. > > Some therapists believes toe walking means that the calf muscles are tight, > and thus treat it by stretching the muscles through exercise, casting or > surgery. However, the results are less than optimal. > > Some therapists believe toe walking means that the child is hypersensitive > to touch, and the child will walk on the toes to decrease the amount of > surface area of the foot that touches the floor with each step. This is > possible, however, to me, I would imagine that walking on the heels, wear > socks don't have seams, would be the more natural way of reducing the touch > sensations to the foot. The treatment would be therapies to reduce the > sensitivity, such as a brushing protocal. > > Some therapists believe that toe walking means the child's body is seeking > out proprioceptive (muscle contractions and joint compression/distraction) > input. The treatment for this would be to add more proprioceptive > sensations in the child's routine, which may include a brushing protocal. > > Some therapists believe that toe walking means the child's body is trying to > increase its muscle tone, as its resting muscle tone is not sufficient for > the task at hand. I notice that I come up on my toes when I carry the 5 > gallon bucket of water I use to clean my fish tank. > > All of these theories really explain the same phenomenon in different > languages. They could be explained by a digestive or nutritional deficit, > however, the digestive or nutritional deficit may be caused by something > else, including the low muscle tone and sensory processing deficits. > > Nash > Physical Therapist > Little Star Developmental Services > Realmyth Associates > http://littlestar.realmyth.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 > Hi > > Does anyone know what toe walking means? Lack of a vitamin or mineral? Are the feet overly sensitive? For my son, it would have meant constipation http://www.danasview.net/constip.htm Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2006 Report Share Posted June 10, 2006 Toe walking was one of my sons symptoms.. But I took him to kindergym instead LOL He loved it.. And it is gone now as he got older too. -- ( ) Toe Walking Is it true that toe walking is typical of Aspies? My son's PT has recomended a home stretching program. Does anyone else do this? I never can keep track of what is the Muscular Dystrophy part and what is the Asperger Part Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 Sandy, My son is a toe walker too... I was told by his PT at Childrens Hosp. Pittsburgh that it is a sign of AS. ( ) Toe Walking Is it true that toe walking is typical of Aspies? My son's PT has recomended a home stretching program. Does anyone else do this? I never can keep track of what is the Muscular Dystrophy part and what is the Asperger Part Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 I was told that from my OT and PT that it is from sensory integration disorder. They walk like that either because they need more stimulation in their feet or they are getting overstimulated and need less of the foot to touch the floor when they walk. They told me that all kids with AS (and other special needs) have some degree of sensory issues, but not all kids who just have SDI have AS or other things. Make sense, or did I confuse you as much as me? lol - :-) > > Sandy, > My son is a toe walker too... I was told by his PT at Childrens Hosp. Pittsburgh that it is a sign of AS. > > ( ) Toe Walking > > > Is it true that toe walking is typical of Aspies? My son's PT has > recomended a home stretching program. Does anyone else do this? I > never can keep track of what is the Muscular Dystrophy part and what is > the Asperger Part > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 No I get it...It's a Special Needs thing rather than a specific diagnosis thing, my boy has MD so we always knew there was a special need, so that makes sense what you said > > > > Sandy, > > My son is a toe walker too... I was told by his PT at > Childrens Hosp. Pittsburgh that it is a sign of AS. > > > > ( ) Toe Walking > > > > > > Is it true that toe walking is typical of Aspies? My son's PT > has > > recomended a home stretching program. Does anyone else do this? > I > > never can keep track of what is the Muscular Dystrophy part and > what is > > the Asperger Part > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 I have always thought it a sign of cerebral palsy - although there are kids out there who habitually toe walk and everything else seems fine, and the CAN walk normally if they try. So the info you quote is not common knowledge among many pediatricians - though there may be some real connection. Its interesting. (My little guy doesn't toe walk - but good to see what others experience here). - [ ] Toe walking Hi there! This is just a curiousity question. has been a toe walker for as long as I can remember (probably since she started walking). Our Developmental Pediatrician noticed it and commented that it was somehow related to the apraxia (for reference, check out the brief mention of it on " Ed Chapman's Speech and Developmental Delays Page " at http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html> ). It only occurs when is not wearing shoes. Our SEIT commented on it yesterday again and it made me curious as to how common apraxia and toe walking might be. That being said, are any of your apraxic children also " toe walkers " ? Also, for those of you with older kids, did the toe walking persist, or did it eventually fade away? All comments and discussion are welcomed! Thank you:-) Warm regards, ****************** (Rochester, NY) Mom to , 3.2 years, Verbal Apraxia & , 1 year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 My son only experiments with walking on his toes and now sometimes his heels. So I would have to say, No. - [ ] Toe walking Hi there! This is just a curiousity question. has been a toe walker for as long as I can remember (probably since she started walking). Our Developmental Pediatrician noticed it and commented that it was somehow related to the apraxia (for reference, check out the brief mention of it on " Ed Chapman's Speech and Developmental Delays Page " at http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html> ). It only occurs when is not wearing shoes. Our SEIT commented on it yesterday again and it made me curious as to how common apraxia and toe walking might be. That being said, are any of your apraxic children also " toe walkers " ? Also, for those of you with older kids, did the toe walking persist, or did it eventually fade away? All comments and discussion are welcomed! Thank you:-) Warm regards, ****************** (Rochester, NY) Mom to , 3.2 years, Verbal Apraxia & , 1 year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 Actually I meant to add that walking on tip-toes is actually pretty difficult for the dyspraxic child. Not sure if its weakness, coordination or both. But my little guy is only now starting to get up on tip toes - but after a year of practice. [ ] Toe walking Hi there! This is just a curiousity question. has been a toe walker for as long as I can remember (probably since she started walking). Our Developmental Pediatrician noticed it and commented that it was somehow related to the apraxia (for reference, check out the brief mention of it on " Ed Chapman's Speech and Developmental Delays Page " at http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html> ). It only occurs when is not wearing shoes. Our SEIT commented on it yesterday again and it made me curious as to how common apraxia and toe walking might be. That being said, are any of your apraxic children also " toe walkers " ? Also, for those of you with older kids, did the toe walking persist, or did it eventually fade away? All comments and discussion are welcomed! Thank you:-) Warm regards, ****************** (Rochester, NY) Mom to , 3.2 years, Verbal Apraxia & , 1 year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 I always thought toe walking was another symptoms associated with SID. I also heard a lot of children with autism toe walked. Then again, alot of autistic children have SID- not saying any of this to scare you. My niece is a toe walker. Has been since she started walking. She has no dx, although she also hasn't seen any professionals outside her reg. Pediatrician and an ENT. Although I see so many signs indicating " something is going on " I think she needs to see a neuro. But thats another post. @@ Dawn in NJ > > Actually I meant to add that walking on tip-toes is actually pretty > difficult for the dyspraxic child. Not sure if its weakness, coordination or > both. But my little guy is only now starting to get up on tip toes - but > after a year of practice. > > > [ ] Toe walking > > > Hi there! > > This is just a curiousity question. > > has been a toe walker for as long as I can remember (probably > since she started walking). Our Developmental Pediatrician noticed it > and commented that it was somehow related to the apraxia (for reference, > check out the brief mention of it on " Ed Chapman's Speech and > Developmental Delays Page " at > http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html > <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html> ). It only occurs when > is not wearing shoes. Our SEIT commented on it yesterday again > and it made me curious as to how common apraxia and toe walking might > be. > > That being said, are any of your apraxic children also " toe walkers " ? > Also, for those of you with older kids, did the toe walking persist, or > did it eventually fade away? All comments and discussion are welcomed! > > > Thank you:-) > > Warm regards, > > ****************** > (Rochester, NY) > Mom to , 3.2 years, Verbal Apraxia > & , 1 year > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 I also think it is sensory related and also related to speech delays and disorders, but we don't really know the hard and fast connection yet. You are right - many kids who are on the spectrum are toe walkers. has already been evaluated for ASD by 2 pediatric psychologists and a Developmental Pediatrician and is not on the spectrum. I think toe walking is one of those strange things - some kids with sensory issues do it and some kids with no developmental issues at all do it. Thank you for your response ... I really appreciate it! Warm regards, ****************** (Rochester, NY) Mom to , 3.1 years, Verbal Apraxia & , 11 months ________________________________ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of jerzmomof4 Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 7:49 PM Subject: [ ] Re: Toe walking I always thought toe walking was another symptoms associated with SID. I also heard a lot of children with autism toe walked. Then again, alot of autistic children have SID- not saying any of this to scare you. My niece is a toe walker. Has been since she started walking. She has no dx, although she also hasn't seen any professionals outside her reg. Pediatrician and an ENT. Although I see so many signs indicating " something is going on " I think she needs to see a neuro. But thats another post. @@ Dawn in NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 Is your toe-walker possibly constipated? If so, trying some oxypowder might eliminate the toe walking (oxypowder.com). I don't see it as a sensory issue. > > > > Actually I meant to add that walking on tip-toes is actually pretty > > difficult for the dyspraxic child. Not sure if its weakness, > coordination or > > both. But my little guy is only now starting to get up on tip toes - > but > > after a year of practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 some contribute it to GI issues such as constipation. My son used to toe-walk, but not any more. He stopped on his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 " I have a question for you and other Moms of kids with apraxia ..do your kids crave their chin be massaged??? ..it is almost as if the nerves are numb and coming to life to her on her chin " My son doesn't crave this but it seemed he did not know where his chin was for the longest time. He had trouble pointing to it when we asked him " where's your chin? " and would have to grope to find it. Stimulating his chin, rubbing it with different textures, massaging it, etc. helped him develop an awareness of it. > > Hi .. my 8 year old adopted daughter always went barefoot in the > orphanage but didn't walk til she was 3 and half years old.. She would toe > walk quite often for the first few years when we got her at age 4 and half > whenever she was barefoot. this is not the tippy toe walk ..it is more like > the toes are folded under the foot and she is actually walking on toe > joints..Very rarely she will try to do it now but her OT discourages it. We > have had to retrain and repeat many times what we mean when we ask her to > walk on her tip toes. Yes it is mentioned as common on the PDD spectrum but > it is seen elseware as the doctors she has seen say her personality is > definitely craving social attention. I had thought she had CP but that has > been ruled out also. I also think it is sensory related ..she prefers to be > barefooted to be able to feel the ground below her and when she is trying to > get her balance on the small trampoline at PT she prefers to be barefooted > also. I think there is an advantage to this or a bright side she can fit > into ballarina shoes with the block of wood at the toe if she ever wants to > be a ballarina. I have a question for you and other Moms of kids with > apraxia ..do your kids crave their chin be massaged??? ..it is almost as if > the nerves are numb and coming to life to her on her chin. > Roxanne > > _____ > > From: > [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Oakes, > Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 11:57 AM > > Subject: [ ] Toe walking > > > > Hi there! > > This is just a curiousity question. > > has been a toe walker for as long as I can remember (probably > since she started walking). Our Developmental Pediatrician noticed it > and commented that it was somehow related to the apraxia (for reference, > check out the brief mention of it on " Ed Chapman's Speech and > Developmental Delays Page " at > http://edchapman. <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html> > tripod.com/Toe.html > <http://edchapman. <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html> > tripod.com/Toe.html> ). It only occurs when > is not wearing shoes. Our SEIT commented on it yesterday again > and it made me curious as to how common apraxia and toe walking might > be. > > That being said, are any of your apraxic children also " toe walkers " ? > Also, for those of you with older kids, did the toe walking persist, or > did it eventually fade away? All comments and discussion are welcomed! > > Thank you:-) > > Warm regards, > > ****************** > (Rochester, NY) > Mom to , 3.2 years, Verbal Apraxia > & , 1 year > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 - Actually, she is occasionally constipated because she will only eat about 10 things and what she does is eat tends to be heavy on dairy. But your post is intriguing. How does constipation relate to toe walking? No I am curious :-) Warm regards, ****************** (Rochester, NY) Mom to , 3.1 years, Verbal Apraxia & , 11 months ________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 Thanks for your note, Roxanne! I can't say that craves chin massages, however, given the oral motor sensory issues that often go hand in hand with apraxia ( has them too, manifesting themselves in being a completely resistant eater), I would not be surprised if that was common. Warm regards, ****************** (Rochester, NY) Mom to , 3.1 years, Verbal Apraxia & , 11 months ________________________________ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Leo and Roxanne Leonard Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 1:21 AM Subject: RE: [ ] Toe walking Hi .. my 8 year old adopted daughter always went barefoot in the orphanage but didn't walk til she was 3 and half years old.. She would toe walk quite often for the first few years when we got her at age 4 and half whenever she was barefoot. this is not the tippy toe walk ..it is more like the toes are folded under the foot and she is actually walking on toe joints..Very rarely she will try to do it now but her OT discourages it. We have had to retrain and repeat many times what we mean when we ask her to walk on her tip toes. Yes it is mentioned as common on the PDD spectrum but it is seen elseware as the doctors she has seen say her personality is definitely craving social attention. I had thought she had CP but that has been ruled out also. I also think it is sensory related ..she prefers to be barefooted to be able to feel the ground below her and when she is trying to get her balance on the small trampoline at PT she prefers to be barefooted also. I think there is an advantage to this or a bright side she can fit into ballarina shoes with the block of wood at the toe if she ever wants to be a ballarina. I have a question for you and other Moms of kids with apraxia ..do your kids crave their chin be massaged??? ..it is almost as if the nerves are numb and coming to life to her on her chin. Roxanne _____ From: <mailto: %40> [mailto: <mailto: %40> ] On Behalf Of Oakes, Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 11:57 AM <mailto: %40> Subject: [ ] Toe walking Hi there! This is just a curiousity question. has been a toe walker for as long as I can remember (probably since she started walking). Our Developmental Pediatrician noticed it and commented that it was somehow related to the apraxia (for reference, check out the brief mention of it on " Ed Chapman's Speech and Developmental Delays Page " at http://edchapman. <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html> > tripod.com/Toe.html <http://edchapman. <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html <http://edchapman.tripod.com/Toe.html> > tripod.com/Toe.html> ). It only occurs when is not wearing shoes. Our SEIT commented on it yesterday again and it made me curious as to how common apraxia and toe walking might be. That being said, are any of your apraxic children also " toe walkers " ? Also, for those of you with older kids, did the toe walking persist, or did it eventually fade away? All comments and discussion are welcomed! Thank you:-) Warm regards, ****************** (Rochester, NY) Mom to , 3.2 years, Verbal Apraxia & , 1 year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 " Not all sensory things are " wrong " - geez, I still won't wear sox or use flannel sheets because I hate the feeling of fuzz on my feet. " I agree with that totally. Being immersed in Early Intervention and having therapists in and out of my house days per week makes it difficult not to get into that " put your kid under a microscope all the time " mentality, know what I mean? It drives me crazy sometimes! Thank you for your response. I appreciate it! ________________________________ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of marina3029 Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 11:48 AM Subject: [ ] Re: Toe walking Toe walking can be nothing more than toe walking. My younger sister always walked on her toes - even into her teens and now. Did I mention how pretty her legs are? On the other hand, it can be indicative of CP, short muscles/tendons, can be associated with autism and sensory issues. Before you go deciding to stop it, I think I'd want to know the WHYs behind it. As long as someone is saying that it could be muscular, I'd want to rule out physical issues. If it is determined to be sensory, you need to decide if it's an inappropriate behaviour. Not all sensory things are " wrong " - geez, I still won't wear sox or use flannel sheets because I hate the feeling of fuzz on my feet. Finally, if it's decided by all that it's inappropriate and should be stopped, high-top shoes are one of the sure-fire ways to stop it. You do have to keep the shoes on the child, though. Marina > > I was wondering if anyone has found a way to prevent their child from toe > walking. My 3 year old son toe walks quite often. He does fluctuate though > from being flat footed and on his toes. I've taken him to a pediatric > physiatrist, chiropractors, developmental pediatricians, physical therapists > and OT's. The developmental pediatrician thinks it is more sensory related. > The PT and OT think it is more muscular. I'm confused about the whole issue. > Any advice on how to help him with toe walking would be appreciated. > > Thanks so much!! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Well..some kids hold it back which actually make the constipation problem worse. Walking on the toes help the " holding back " process...\ RE: [ ] Re: Toe walking > - > > Actually, she is occasionally constipated because she will only eat > about 10 things and what she does is eat tends to be heavy on dairy. > But your post is intriguing. How does constipation relate to toe > walking? No I am curious :-) > Warm regards, > ****************** > (Rochester, NY) > Mom to , 3.1 years, Verbal Apraxia > & , 11 months > > > ________________________________ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 I think the determining factors are: Does the sensory issue impede normal functioning. In other words, it's no problem to cut tags out of shirts, but there are some places in life you simply HAVE to wear underwear, especially if you like your pants to be very loose around the waste (I'm not making this stuff up, I'm giving actual examples from my son). Does the child's coping mechanism to the sensory issue put the child at risk of developing other problems. In other words, if toe walking is used by a child to reduce sensory input, if used frequently, it could ultimately mean the heel cords are not stretched often enough and then it could become difficult to get off the toes, requiring medical intervention. If toe walking is used only when barefoot and the child isn't barefoot often, then it probably won't cause other problems. Our daughter toe-walked probably as a result of a muscular issue and had very tight heel cords. From about age 2 on, we could simply say, " get off your toes " and she'd go back down. If she did it several times, we stopped, did stretching exercises and then usually she was OK. Now, at 3.5 she is more prone to toe walk for sensory reasons. But is at higher risk for having tight heel cords, so we try to cut it off at the pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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