Gross Motor Delay?

I would contact Early Intervention and see if she needs services. If they think she needs it they will come to the house and help with the problems. they would evaluate her and give you a result of where she is.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2subtopic&L=6&L0...

It is really easy and we are doing it for my daughter

You can easily ask for a screening for her to put your mind at rest as to whether it is truly a delay or just the kind of cautious kid she is. I'm sure you know it could just be slightly low muscle tone that's slowing her down a bit, although if she has good fine motor skills, that's not as likely. She'll be eligible for preschool shortly so a screening should be easily obtained.

My son will be 3 in April and your description sounds EXACTLY like my son. He was a former 28 week preemie and has caught up with everything else. His speech is good and even better than some kids his age and his fine motor skills are good too. He cannot climb stairs on his own or he will go up and down on his belly. He can't jump either...he tries but nothing happens. I did have his assesses this summer by Early Intervention and they suggested activities to build his core muscles- they said he has weak abdominals. Things they suggested are walking on uneven surfaces, stepping up and down off of things (like a phone book or step stool) and to encourage him to do things more indepedently. I have seen other kids at daycare doing all the things that you described so I understand your concern. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of exercises (or so I'm told) that can be done; it's just a matter of time. He gets reassessed in January at the NICU follow-up clinic where I'll be anxious to see if he progresses. Oh, one more thing - does your daughter run? My son looks like he is walking fast so it expends more energy than running. He is right along side the other kids but it takes way more energy. I'd be interested in corresponding w/you if you're interested. Take care. J.

It might be time to check out early intervention. Most kids are jumping around 18months. Early intervention is free and you can usually find a testing sight nearby.

Our five year old grandson was similar to your 3 yr daughter. Extreemely bright, computer whiz early on, highly intelligent and (!) rational -- reasoning his way through amazing puzzles, speaking in complex complete sentences. But he couldn't hold a pencil! Turned out to be "low tone" and he now works with an Occupational Therapist several days a week, and his parents do everything they possibly can to get him outdoors, using and developing his upper body muscle tone: skiing, jungle-gymming, "climbing wall," baseball, soccer, running races, tossing balls -- gets them outside, too!

It would be a good idea to seek out an evaluation NOW, not later..........if only we all had crystal balls, and would know whether our kids would "turn-the-corner" on their own (which most do!) or not (mine didn't). Speaking from my own experience, waiting doesn't always help our kids, and you can't get that time back that would have gone to good use! Good Luck! You won't have any regrets........

I would recommend a physical therapy evaluation for your daughter. This can be done through Early Intervention or at an outpatient clinic (depending on your insurance).

I don't know if it's officially a "delay" but I just wanted to let you know that my daughter was the same way. She is extremely cautious and doesn't like to fall down, and has always been a little behind her peers in terms of her gross motor development. (She didn't walk until 16 months, etc). Same deal as you with climbing ladders also. Anyway, I finally realized that part of the issue was that the coordination bit that came so easily to other kids wasn't coming so easily for her. I literally had to teach her "foot, foot, hand, hand" as far as climbing. But she's gotten much more adventurous of late (she's now 3.5) and seems generally to be catching up. She's still pretty timid around tall slides or things that move underfoot, but I try to remember that's just who she is and not to worry about it. She's good at so many other things, like language and fine motor stuff, and when I get worried that she's behind, I remember that I'd be a nervous wreck if she was climbing on everything and jumping off!

I almost asked what you said in your last sentence: is it motor skills or fear? At 2.5 my son was VERY talkative, expressive and smart. But he wouldn't do slides, never jumped with both feet, and feld on to my hand as he carefully did stairs. With time (he's now 3 1/2) he's starting all these things. Just needed to build up the confidence. We did a few Little Gym classes and that helped, but mostly his own trial and error and learning he COULD do things...

It is so hard to say if she is just being overly cautious or if there is an issue. If I were you, I would call someone like the Ritchie McFarland Center (if you are in Southern NH) and see if you can just have her observed or evaluated just for your own peace of mind. If they think it is nothing, then you have nothing to worry about. If it is something, then they will be able to get you started in the right direction. If there is an issue it is definitely better to get started on it when they are young. Once she turns three, it becomes the school system's duty to get you help. Before three, it is up to you. I personally think if you establish whether or not there is an issue prior to getting involved with the school system, then they have to help you. If you wait and get evaluated by the school, they tend to be less likely to say there's a problem, even when there is one because they have to foot the bill. They may deny this, but I have seen it happen unfortunately.

Best of luck!

At 3 years old your child is eligible to receive an early childhood screening through your public school system. Contact your school system, they usually hold screenings monthly. If not request an evaluation from your ped. Good Luck!

I would get a referral from your doctor for early intervention before she turns 3. After three it goes to the public schools. If that takes too long to get an appointment or they won't give you services that you feel she would need, I would consult with a private Physical Therapist and put your mind at rest.

Another thought, maybe those issues you mentioned could be visual or depth perception issues so it might be a good idea to have her vision checked as well. I say that because my son and I both have a 'lazy eye' and depth perception is a challenge. I don't mean to be an alarmist, but it's worth a check.

You've probably seen a lot of responses for Early Intervention for Speech/Articulation delays, but the program is also available for other delays as well and if you are concerned have ehr evaluated ASAP because EI ends on the 3rd birthday, but once she is in and if it is necessary, she sould be eligible for OT in pre-school as well. There was a boy in my daughters EI play group who fit your daughters description. If she doesn't need EI, they can still recommend exercises and certian skills to work on with her. talk to your pedi about it. If nothing else it will give you peace of mind.

Good Luck

I would have birth to three come out to your home and have her evaluated...its free and make the appointment now because it always takes a few months before they can fit you in...

If this is not the route you want to take, then i would take her to a specialist in a children's hospital...its better to be safe and go with your gut feeling, then be sorry you never had her checked

good luck to you

I wouldn't be that concerned. One of the questions on my son's kindergarten screening was to jump so if they are asking a five year old I don't see why there would be a reason to worry at 2.5 she has 2.5 more years to go. As for the ladder and stairs maybe its a combination of fear and expecting help. My oldest always needed help with feeding but at daycare he did it on his own just fine at home he expected the help from mommy it might be the same thing with your daughter. He has been buckling himself in the car for a long time but when he goes anywhere w/ grandma and grandpa he asks for help because he knows they will do it.

I would get a referral to early intervention from your pediatrician and have her evaluated. Of course, it may be something very simple. Early intervention is available up to the age of 3 years old and then the public school system would take over with services. It could be your fear of her getting hurt that is keeping her from doing these things, but they will be able to help with some physical therapy that will get her back on track. Good luck.

I would definitely have him assessed by the public schools - just call and ask about having your 3 year evaluated for early intervention. He is most likely developing just fine and if anything if will be a place to gain some more information, BUT - it is FREE AND they will give you some ideas and execises to help move his development along. If he is NOT yet 3, you can cal birth to 3 and they will come do the exact same thing - they are wonderful - let meknow if you need the contact. Good luck! It sounds to me as if he is just moving along at his own rate... but in my opinion, the more people that take a look at him, the better information YOU can get and the better is is for your child.

I disagree with the post that said most kids are jumping by 18 months. Many are, but many are not. My son didn't start walking until after 14 months. I don't know when he started jumping, but it was well after he started walking. He has always been a very grounded child. He's not a climber, jumper, skipper, etc. (though he now CAN do all of those things, he just chooses not to). He's now 5 and finally starting to get over his fear of stairs. He would never climb a ladder! His pediatrician knows all this and says it's perfectly normal. I would not worry yet, but, as others have said, if you need peace of mind, contact EI. All kids have their strengths and weaknesses. My son's fine motor skills are also good. He was speaking in complete sentences well before any child I know (people didn't believe me when I told them!). I'm not an expert, but it almost seems like kids develop skills in spurts. I'm grateful he never pulled stools over to the stove and climbed onto it (turned off, thank god) like my nephew of the same age did when he was 3! Nor does he do flips off the back of the couch. He'll probably never be an extreme athlete, and I'm ok with that!

Those are gross motor milestones that you should see emerging- especially the jumping component. I just moved to Maine so I'm not exactly sure of the services provided here but you can look into having early intervention come out and do an evaluation to see where your daughter is. If there are still gross motor delays once she reaches kindergarten, an evaluation will be done by a Physical Therapist in the school(public) to determine if she requires PT still. The earlier that intervention is done, the better so that she can practice all those important skills... Other activities to look at: riding a tricycle, sitting on a swing, walking up/down stairs, kicking a ball... Keep in mind that it is a federal law for children to receive PT, OT and Speech therapy in the public schools if it is determined that they require it ( through standardized testing) Good Luck!

I would call early intervention and have her evaluated. Also, you should call your pediatrician and see what they would reccommend. My son went through the same thing and is now in the second grade and has great success with the help of the school's occupational therapist. Good luck!! S. G

I was going to ask you if she is "cautious" I then I read she is. My son is 21 months old & did not start walking until 9 days before he was 18 months. So he also cannot climb up or down stairs without help & even with help is nervous to do it & says up. But we make him do it (with help) because he needs to learn. So my question is did she start walking a little later like my son? Maybe that has something to do with it or maybe she is overly cautions like my son too.
I say go with your gut & maybe you need early intervention? I scheduled them to come out & eval my son but then I was able to cancel because he started walking (like I said 9 days before he turned 18 months). They said it was fine to cancel them but if I had any other concerns I could call them to come out to my house. He is way ahead of most kids on every thing else though! So give her a little more time & if she does not improve then I say call EI just to be safe. They also told me that some times it is not an issue with motor skills just their "personality" & nothing to worry about.

Have you ever noticed if her feet are turned in in any way? my son and I have balance probelsm that stem form our feet being slightly turned and flat, it ia amazing what your feet do..I ocudl not walk a curb as a kid and had training wheels until10! My son was a premei so we were getting services when they ofund in Phyical Therpy that his issues are his feet too.

When he got his RX it made so much more sense fo my life! lol He wears a small plastic foot brace called SMOS and the 1st time he put them on he ran stright! he always had run all over the place..they give his feet balace..

He has been getting PT now for a few years (he is 5 1/2) and is still a little afraid of bein off the gorund..but he can jump now and go down most strairs.

Look into this, it change change her life..

I work with children with motor delays and it seems she may be slightly delayed. It may be worth contacting your early intervention agency to have her evaluated as she may have low muscle tone or decreased strength which can limit her abilities. It is always better to start working on these things earlier than later. Also you don't want her to become afraid of gross motor activities whereas she is already cautious. She isn't that far behind you could also try working on things at home with her or bring her to one of those gyms for kids with all sorts of gross motor activities and let her explore and play.

No, I do not know at what age this becomes a real issue.
BUT as a mother of seven I can tell you that each child developes skills within their own time frame.
It bothers me a little that you are so concerned. I lay that to reading too many books about children.
In my day we had NO books ( until Dr. Spock came out a ruined an entire generation of kids)
We also had extended families, Mums, Grams, Aunts, cousins, neighbors with lots of kids, they were a five minute walk and a cup of tea away.
You new Mum's regretfully do not have that option.
BUT you do have Mamasource with many fine respondents.
I have had children run as early as four and a half months...YES IT IS TRUE..altho I always attributed it to his severe hyperactivity rather than a develpmental ability..my latest walker was nearly 16 months. He did not want to fall and like your daughter was extremely cautious. He too, was a bit slow , a lot slow, with gross motor abilities. He now, at 35, is a well known boat builder ( go to Lowellbrothers.com) I am talking about Jamie.
When he was five I was told he was so severly learning disabled and dislexic he would never be able to mainstream in regular school. I thought he was brilliant and I needed only to find out HOW to teach him. He went to school, I found a way to teach him to read, his junior year at high school he recieved a letter from the superintendent and principal commending him on attaining honor level grades for his three years of high school.
SOOO...check with your doctor next visit, if he says there is nothing wrong, accept that she is a bit slow in that part of her development.
You can , with docs advice, find some sort of exercise and activity that will help her along. Maybe a playground, make it a weekly outing for all the kids? A little trampoline? A large ball? Dancing? At three she is old enough to start tap dancing lessons.
Dont worry hon..each child has its own agenda and just because some eighteen month old is doing somersaults doesnt mean your daughter is handicapped...just a bit different.
Tincture of time cures many ills.
God bless
Grandmother Lowell