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View Full Version : 22month old not walking - advice please



melco
27-11-2012, 12:46 PM
Hi,

I have spoken about a lo who I look after on here before who is not walking. She has some other development problems as well but I feel parents are in denial and even though they have been told to send her for a brain scan they have decided against it and trying to get her to talk, walk etc by themselves.

When she first started with me my business was only just up and running so it was only me and her, I now have a 11month old and am struggling getting them about. Its mainly if we go out to groups or singing at the library as I can get the 22mth old out of the buggy and she will hold onto the buggy while I get the other child out and then she used to hold my hand and walk but recently she has started crying and won't move.

When she did walk I could see people looking at her as she does not bend her legs and kicks them out to the side so feel that even with me trying and her parents she is nowhere near ready to walk.

My problem is that trying to carry them both is hard (I don't know how people with twins cope!!:panic:) but I really struggle and getting them both in my arms and worry that I am going to fall over with them!! I feel its dangerous but have not other option. Sometimes due to this I stay home but I only have her once a week and want her to experience what we do and not be stuck in because she is not walking yet. Also mum wants me to have her twice a week from Jan!!

I just don't know how to bring it up with the parents as I don't want to upset or worry them but don't know what else I can do to help get her walking I feel they need to see a specialist. I really want to help this lo but feel I can't tell parents what to do but seeing her and other people asking me what is wrong with her makes me sad. Especially when another cm handed me a form for a group I can take her to for children with SEN!! We don't even know whether there is a problem yet.

Advice please and thanks in advance

melco

JCrakers
27-11-2012, 01:00 PM
Personally I would do a development check on her and go through all the areas noting which areas she falls into for each. Then I would sit parents down and tell them what their child is good at but.... you are a bit concerned about the physical side of things and have noticed that in the past few months things haven't made an improvement.
It could be a hip problem or a joint problem in the knees rather than a brain scan needed?

At the end of the day all you can do is advise. She will be due a 2yr check up with the HV so your 2yr check will help with this. It could be that they will listen more to the HV :angry:

It is really hard talking to parents about potential suspected problems isn't it. I have a 6yr old who as soon as he started I knew he played differently and suspected Asbergers. I was so glad when school flagged it up first and I was there to support Mum with my side of things.

melco
27-11-2012, 01:05 PM
The brain scan is because of the not talking and the paediatrician they saw feels there are some development issues so would like to do a brain scan but the parents refused. They asked for a few months to try and bring her up to speed but those few months have gone and nothings changed.

She also goes to Nursery once a week and to be honest I am surprised they have not mentioned anything to the parents it only seems to be me!

jillplum
27-11-2012, 02:43 PM
All I can say is talk to the parents. They MUST be able to see she is having problems but perhaps don't want to face it. Understandable of course but it is delaying her getting the help she needs. My daughter ( one of twins) was very late to walk. She was only able to stand when keeping legs straight. If she bent her knee she would fall down. She was born with low muscle tone due to oxygen deprivation. She also has speech problems and when she started school she was mostly unintelligible. Loads of physical therapy and occupational therapy from the Age of about 14 months got her walking. Speech therapy sorted the talking. She is now 15 and you would not know she had any problems.
btw yes carrying twins is tough lol. That's why I have arms like a Russian shot putter :laughing:

VeggieSausage
27-11-2012, 05:44 PM
I would be referring to a health visitor asap, there is in denial and in denial and I think that child is beyond the age where in denial about the non walking is ok. I think that you should explain to parents that you really are concerned about the lack of walking and that you recommend they see their health visitor asap. Mention that the health visitor may give them specific exercises to do that may improve the walking situation quickly (I am sure they will be referred to see someone medical)......

mammumof4
28-11-2012, 01:37 PM
Its important the parents seek help for this little girl, although i can understand how they feel!
my little girl is almost 19 months and not walking, she bum shuffles and gets everywhere she needs to
so i feel she has no need to walk just yet, she was late at sittling, never rolled ect
i waited and waited for her to do things in her own time and i guess i was scared to seek help
incase they found a serious problem!
well i finaly took her to our gp when she was around 15 months and she refererd her to a paediatrician, who
has referered her to the childrens hospital to see if they can suggest anything, but basicaly they
think her late walking is to do with hypermobility in her knees, her talking is fab and her fine motor skills
are also really really good so they are not too worried and think she will do it all in her own time.
at 15 months she couldnt even pull up onto furniture, but can now :) so she is making progress :)

im sorry, ive ended up making this reply all obout my daughter!!
my advice is to talk to mum and dad, i know its hard but if you have concerns about her you should
bring it up. good luck xxxx

VeggieSausage
28-11-2012, 07:36 PM
Its important the parents seek help for this little girl, although i can understand how they feel!
my little girl is almost 19 months and not walking, she bum shuffles and gets everywhere she needs to
so i feel she has no need to walk just yet, she was late at sittling, never rolled ect
i waited and waited for her to do things in her own time and i guess i was scared to seek help
incase they found a serious problem!
well i finaly took her to our gp when she was around 15 months and she refererd her to a paediatrician, who
has referered her to the childrens hospital to see if they can suggest anything, but basicaly they
think her late walking is to do with hypermobility in her knees, her talking is fab and her fine motor skills
are also really really good so they are not too worried and think she will do it all in her own time.
at 15 months she couldnt even pull up onto furniture, but can now :) so she is making progress :)

im sorry, ive ended up making this reply all obout my daughter!!
my advice is to talk to mum and dad, i know its hard but if you have concerns about her you should
bring it up. good luck xxxx

I had a late walker whom I referred mum to a health visitor and he turned out to have hypermobility in his knees, hips, ankles etc and needed exercises and insoles later which he still wears.....

melco
05-12-2012, 07:09 PM
Hi,

I just wanted to give you all an update on the lo who is not walking.

I spoke to mum yesterday and I asked about the tests that she mentioned a while ago and whether the lo was still going to have them.

So she said that yes she was having brain scan, also having skull scan and blood tests!! This will all be done at the same time while she is under so that she does not have to keep going back.

She also said that the paediatrician is worried about the shape of her head (it sticks out on one side) I have noticed this and said to mum that I was worried so am glad that they are doing the tests and getting it looked into. The worrying this is it has got bigger!!

I thought mum was in denial but also found out yesterday that mum mentioned the shape of her head to health visitor when lo was first born and the health visitor said "you won't be able to see it when her hair grows so don't worry about it" :mad: so parents did not think it was a problem and its only been since she has not been walking/talking that they are getting things looked into. They are also waiting for appointment with speech therapist.

So I feel better that things are starting to get sorted. My only worry now is if she needs extra help depending on what they find. What if I can not offer the full care that she needs when I have other children to look after? I know you can agree to not take a lo with SEN if you feel you can not offer the right care for them but I would never want to give notice for that reason I just couldn't do it but am worried about how I will cope if she does not start walking soon. By April I will have 3 non walkers!!:panic: Unless lo who I have that is now 12 months gets up and about!!

melco

jillplum
06-12-2012, 10:34 AM
Dont worry about getting about later on. Until you know what is happening with this Lo you cant know what to do about it. Just wait and see. Hard I know lol. You will probably be avle to manage anyway. Parents in that situation have to manage so as long as e eryone works together to help this little one then things should work out. If it comes down to finding somewhere else for the Lo then its not you giving notice its everyone coming to the right decision regarding care. Hope it goes well.

VeggieSausage
06-12-2012, 02:24 PM
Hi,

I just wanted to give you all an update on the lo who is not walking.

I spoke to mum yesterday and I asked about the tests that she mentioned a while ago and whether the lo was still going to have them.

So she said that yes she was having brain scan, also having skull scan and blood tests!! This will all be done at the same time while she is under so that she does not have to keep going back.

She also said that the paediatrician is worried about the shape of her head (it sticks out on one side) I have noticed this and said to mum that I was worried so am glad that they are doing the tests and getting it looked into. The worrying this is it has got bigger!!

I thought mum was in denial but also found out yesterday that mum mentioned the shape of her head to health visitor when lo was first born and the health visitor said "you won't be able to see it when her hair grows so don't worry about it" :mad: so parents did not think it was a problem and its only been since she has not been walking/talking that they are getting things looked into. They are also waiting for appointment with speech therapist.

So I feel better that things are starting to get sorted. My only worry now is if she needs extra help depending on what they find. What if I can not offer the full care that she needs when I have other children to look after? I know you can agree to not take a lo with SEN if you feel you can not offer the right care for them but I would never want to give notice for that reason I just couldn't do it but am worried about how I will cope if she does not start walking soon. By April I will have 3 non walkers!!:panic: Unless lo who I have that is now 12 months gets up and about!!

melco

glad she is being seen, sounds like she may have some severe health issues, poor little thing....