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10 month old low muscle tone

  • 18-02-2018 7:30am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi all.

    We had our 10 month old with a physio therapist in the coombe last week and he was diagnosed with low muscle tone.

    Assessment was only 15 minutes long and she didn't really tell my wife much other than do loads of floor time with him and gave her a few suggestions for some exercises to do and said to bring him back in in a month.

    :confused:

    We've been googling (as you do) and reading things about developmental issues, autism etc and other associated issues that can arise with LMT.

    He has been rolling over since he was 4 or 5 months and can sit up unaided however he doesn't have good balance in that if sitting up and he leans to the side he usually topples over. He cannot get into a sitting position himself nor has he been making any efforts to try and stand. He can kind of crawl/pull himself along on his belly.

    We just always assumed he was just a chilled out baby. We have been encouraging him when he is down playing on the floor to crawl, playing games to get him pulling and stretching but when he gets to whichever toy he is looking for he is quite happy to roll onto his back and play with them.

    He has hit other developmental milestones, has been talking - mama, dada etc - for a couple of months and is constantly jibber jabbering.

    I know all babies develop and crawl / sit up / walk at different times but I'm at my wits end as my wife is back to work in a week and obviously the child minder will not be able to dedicate the kind of time we have been putting in to exercises with him.

    We have made an appointment for Tuesday with a private physio therapist who will spend an hour with him so hopefully we will know more then but I'm just wondering if many have had a similar diagnosis and what the outcome was.

    Tia.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    From what you have said it does not sound severe at all. As long as he is making progress that’s the main thing. The important thing is that you are being proactive. One of mine is a bit delayed too but coming on in leaps and bounds at the moment. We are getting physio also.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,601 ✭✭✭Hoboo


    Swimming. His body will be buoyed and supported, and he can get a super workout while having the craic.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭catrionanic


    At 10 months, my boy was only rolling and sitting and making no shapes at crawling or pulling up. Then suddenly at 11 months he was crawling, sitting up from lying and pulling to stand within a week, and a month later he was walking. Does he bear weight on his feet if you hold his hands or his waist?

    I know it’s really hard, but try not to worry as so many babies develop at different rates even when they’re perfectly normal. Hopefully the physio appt will give you some reassurance and guide you with how to help him along.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭jlm29


    I know it’s easier said than done, but stay away from google!
    If the Physio you’ve seen has given you some things to work on, that’s great, and often times a few little things done consistently make a huge difference. You can mention things like this to your childminder, and they can incorporate some of them too- if your baby is in the minders with other kids, it will probably bring him on too.

    Just of note- I wouldn’t be at all alarmed that the Physio spent 15 min with your child- if they were worried, or had more to do, they’d have either spent longer, or brought baby back for a follow up a bit quicker. I would also be wary of going to a private Physio with a child unless they are a specialist paediatric Physio- I’m not saying not to do it, but if the public Physio is working with kids all the tine, they might be a bit more knowledgeable, and quicker to pick up on things. They’ll also have a broader range of treatment techniques. Private isn’t always superior where kids therapies are concerned, in my experience


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    Thanks for the reassuring words guys.

    We have been been bringing him swimming since he was about 4 months old which he loves, although he only REALLY kicks his arms and legs when I release him under water. When he is in the bath though he kicks and flaps both like a mad man.

    He is well able to stand if we hold his hands out in front of him with his legs bearing his full weight. Still a bit wobbly of course but I'm not concerned about that.

    I should add, he is a beast of a baby - 10+ kg already and over the 90th percentile for height, he also has a whopper of a head like myself and my siblings - so it's obviously alot tougher on him trying to get his balance.

    We will just keep up doing what we have been doing and see what the physio says Tuesday.

    Thanks again.

    :)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    jlm29 wrote: »
    I know it’s easier said than done, but stay away from google!
    If the Physio you’ve seen has given you some things to work on, that’s great, and often times a few little things done consistently make a huge difference. You can mention things like this to your childminder, and they can incorporate some of them too- if your baby is in the minders with other kids, it will probably bring him on too.

    Just of note- I wouldn’t be at all alarmed that the Physio spent 15 min with your child- if they were worried, or had more to do, they’d have either spent longer, or brought baby back for a follow up a bit quicker. I would also be wary of going to a private Physio with a child unless they are a specialist paediatric Physio- I’m not saying not to do it, but if the public Physio is working with kids all the tine, they might be a bit more knowledgeable, and quicker to pick up on things. They’ll also have a broader range of treatment techniques. Private isn’t always superior where kids therapies are concerned, in my experience

    Cheers, Ya, the physio we are going to is a paed specialist.

    We were thinking our selves that if the initial physio had major concerns that she would have done more or told us to do a more stringent exercise regime etc but of course, with fookin Google, the worst case scenario is always at the forefront.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    I frightened myself googling also. It’s terrible! Were you referred on?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44 kat939


    Hi Business Cat- if i remember rightly we were both in the April 2017 baby thread, congrats! Sounds like your little fella is doing great, as others have said. I would just add that lots of people (myself included) would have ' low' muscle tone so don't panic just having heard that. Also in respect of the childminder - the best way to help kids develop their physical skills is to make sure they get loads of time on the floor and then leave them to it, so as long as he doesn't spend too much (if any) time in a walker, jumperoo etc he'll be learning away there too:)


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Hi all.

    We had our 10 month old with a physio therapist in the coombe last week and he was diagnosed with low muscle tone.

    Assessment was only 15 minutes long and she didn't really tell my wife much other than do loads of floor time with him and gave her a few suggestions for some exercises to do and said to bring him back in in a month.

    :confused:

    We've been googling (as you do) and reading things about developmental issues, autism etc and other associated issues that can arise with LMT.

    He has been rolling over since he was 4 or 5 months and can sit up unaided however he doesn't have good balance in that if sitting up and he leans to the side he usually topples over. He cannot get into a sitting position himself nor has he been making any efforts to try and stand. He can kind of crawl/pull himself along on his belly.

    We just always assumed he was just a chilled out baby. We have been encouraging him when he is down playing on the floor to crawl, playing games to get him pulling and stretching but when he gets to whichever toy he is looking for he is quite happy to roll onto his back and play with them.

    He has hit other developmental milestones, has been talking - mama, dada etc - for a couple of months and is constantly jibber jabbering.

    I know all babies develop and crawl / sit up / walk at different times but I'm at my wits end as my wife is back to work in a week and obviously the child minder will not be able to dedicate the kind of time we have been putting in to exercises with him.

    We have made an appointment for Tuesday with a private physio therapist who will spend an hour with him so hopefully we will know more then but I'm just wondering if many have had a similar diagnosis and what the outcome was.

    Tia.

    The only bit I can help on is the autism bit. At 10 months if he has good eye contact, responds to name etc that would be what you would be looking at more than muscle tone. HTH.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    fits wrote: »
    I frightened myself googling also. It’s terrible! Were you referred on?

    We had been bringing him to Pamela O'Connor in the coombe for his usual check ups and it was her that referred us to the physio initially.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    The only bit I can help on is the autism bit. At 10 months if he has good eye contact, responds to name etc that would be what you would be looking at more than muscle tone. HTH.

    Ya, has great eye contact and has been responding to his name since he was 4 or 5 months old.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    Just an update.

    Saw the physio today.

    According to her there is nothing major to be concerned about. She said that he is a bit weak in his core area and gave us a full exercise regime to do with him to help build it up. Back again with her in 3 weeks for a progress update but we are feeling much more at ease and very relieved that it's something that can be relatively easy to correct.

    Thanks to those of you that took to reply, really appreciate it.

    This parenting lark is a feckin minefield!

    :)


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Fantastic news thanks for the update :-)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Great! I’m not surprised though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,039 ✭✭✭✭Kintarō Hattori


    Congrats BC. We were told our little lady had low core strength around 4 months old and she's been getting physio from Temple Street. She's just turned 9 months old and while she can stay sitting if you position her, she's yet to roll or babble- which is concerning. She has good eye contact, can entertain herself and seems to know the names of her toys, the washing machine, clothes etc. So that's all positive. The worst physical thing seems to be that she tilts her head right as the right neck muscles are under-developed. I'm hoping we're not too late to correct this.


    It's fecking worrying though and Google really doesn't help. My missus is a nightmare for diagnosing things and then falling apart when she learns of something. We're off to Temple Street on Tuesday for an eye exam, physio and then to see the pediatrician. Hopefully it'll be good news and the MRI scheduled for Wednesday won't be needed, though I suspect it will.

    She's the most marvelous thing I've ever been a part of and the source of most emotions/worry I've ever experienced.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    My lad just started rolling at just over nine months. He is almost crawling now at 15 months and making great progress.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    Congrats BC. We were told our little lady had low core strength around 4 months old and she's been getting physio from Temple Street. She's just turned 9 months old and while she can stay sitting if you position her, she's yet to roll or babble- which is concerning. She has good eye contact, can entertain herself and seems to know the names of her toys, the washing machine, clothes etc. So that's all positive. The worst physical thing seems to be that she tilts her head right as the right neck muscles are under-developed. I'm hoping we're not too late to correct this.


    It's fecking worrying though and Google really doesn't help. My missus is a nightmare for diagnosing things and then falling apart when she learns of something. We're off to Temple Street on Tuesday for an eye exam, physio and then to see the pediatrician. Hopefully it'll be good news and the MRI scheduled for Wednesday won't be needed, though I suspect it will.

    She's the most marvelous thing I've ever been a part of and the source of most emotions/worry I've ever experienced.

    Google is awful, my wife is the same, then i Google and worry myself too.

    We've been doing as much of the physio/exercises as we can with him and even in the two weeks we have seen an improvement both in terms of his balance and the duration in which he can sit up unassisted.

    His crawling is getting better too and I think alot of it is him just figuring out what his body can do, he just needs to be steered in the right direction.

    We brought him to the paediatric physiotherapist in Milltown physio to get assessed after the initial one in the Coombe because we frankly were not happy with yer one in the Coombe that saw him.

    She spent about 50 minutes with him doing various tests and showed us 5 or 6 different exercises to help build up his strenght.

    Initial consult is €120 then they do a few half hour follow up sessions (our first is next Saturday) for €60.

    It was completely worth it to give us the tools to help him as best we could.

    I wouldnt worry about the talking with your little lady. One of my nieces didn't say a peep for over 12 months but now at 3 and a bit chats away to bate the band.

    Our fella had silent reflux and colic for the first few months and he HATED tummy time because of it (we only know that now as he wasn't diagnosed with the reflux til he was 5 months old) As a result we neglected tummy time due to the distress it used to cause him. The physio told us he is a classic colicy / refluxy baby so that has helped but it still doesn't make us feel that we somehow failed him in his first few months.

    Fingers crossed for your appointment next week.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    Just an update here.

    We had him in with the consultant pediatrician in the Coombe today and she expressed some concern that he has not yet moved into a crawling position himself (as in on all fours) and he has a bit of head lag.

    She is arranging for him to see a neurologist and to have an MRI done as well as have CK bloods done.

    While she said he has improved since she last saw him, apparently he isn't at the level he should be at for his age (3 days shy of 11 months).

    We have been doing alot of physio exercises with him and we feel he has really improved in the last month in terms of his over all movement. One of the previous issues was when he was sitting that he had a tendency to topple over so we have been working on getting him to plant his hands if he feels he is going to topple over which has really helped him with his balance. He is making efforts himself to get onto his knees (tucking them in under him and lifting his bum in the air).

    Intellectually she said there are no concerns as he is bright, has good hand / eye coordination, is trying to talk etc but its the physical that she is concerned with.

    We were back in with the physio last Saturday and she was very happy with him and the progress he has made and gave us additional exercises to stimulate him into getting on all fours and finding his balance with that.

    But now we feel so deflated and are absolutely sick with worry, particularly with the CK test. I know doctors will err on the side of caution and she said herself that often the child will catch up naturally bet we just feel really teary and worried for our poor little man.

    :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Sorry to hear but it’s good that it’s being checked out. I’m wondering now if I should be worried too...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 206 ✭✭foreverandever


    Just an update here.

    We had him in with the consultant pediatrician in the Coombe today and she expressed some concern that he has not yet moved into a crawling position himself (as in on all fours) and he has a bit of head lag.

    She is arranging for him to see a neurologist and to have an MRI done as well as have CK bloods done.

    While she said he has improved since she last saw him, apparently he isn't at the level he should be at for his age (3 days shy of 11 months).

    We have been doing alot of physio exercises with him and we feel he has really improved in the last month in terms of his over all movement. One of the previous issues was when he was sitting that he had a tendency to topple over so we have been working on getting him to plant his hands if he feels he is going to topple over which has really helped him with his balance. He is making efforts himself to get onto his knees (tucking them in under him and lifting his bum in the air).

    Intellectually she said there are no concerns as he is bright, has good hand / eye coordination, is trying to talk etc but its the physical that she is concerned with.

    We were back in with the physio last Saturday and she was very happy with him and the progress he has made and gave us additional exercises to stimulate him into getting on all fours and finding his balance with that.

    But now we feel so deflated and are absolutely sick with worry, particularly with the CK test. I know doctors will err on the side of caution and she said herself that often the child will catch up naturally bet we just feel really teary and worried for our poor little man.

    :(

    Sorry to hear that, you’re doing a great job and hopefully he’ll continue to improve. When children are involved they just want to make sure there’s nothing missed and I’m sure it’s the same in this case


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    An update from my end. We have been referred for assessment with early intervention as he seems to be missing some milestones other than in motor skills. He’s not waving or pointing etc. he is crawling and pulling up to stand now and making good progress there.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    fits wrote: »
    An update from my end. We have been referred for assessment with early intervention as he seems to be missing some milestones other than in motor skills. He’s not waving or pointing etc. he is crawling and pulling up to stand now and making good progress there.

    Best of luck with it all I know how worrying it is especially waiting to be seen.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    fits wrote: »
    An update from my end. We have been referred for assessment with early intervention as he seems to be missing some milestones other than in motor skills. He’s not waving or pointing etc. he is crawling and pulling up to stand now and making good progress there.

    Our little man has been referred too for more or less the same reasons. The whole pointing thing I don't really understand tbh. If he sees something he wants he reaches for it and we aren't a pointing house. I would have thought that children learn by imitation, if he has nothing to imitate then how would he know to do it?

    :confused:

    're the waving, over the last few days he seems to be waving in his own way, not full blown flapping his hand but if we say "day day" he has started opening and closing his fingers directed at who ever is saying it to him.

    I don't know that we are too worried about things like that. Over the last week or two he has learned how to high 5 as in we say high 5 and hold our hand up he reaches up to meet our hand.

    He has also learned how to play catch. As in I put him sitting a couple of feet away from me, throw a little ball to him, he will pick it up and throw it back (as much as an 11 and a half month old has the dexterity to throw anything with any kind of direction on it)

    We got some of the CK test results back today and thankfully everything came back as normal, still waiting on additional results but afaik the major worries like muscular dystrophy or other genetic issues are not present so that has been a massive relief.

    He is booked in for an MRI for June so in the mean time the physio has given us additonal exercises to do with him to encourage standing and walking and to continue strenghtening his core.

    Our biggest fear was something genetic, anything else can be worked on with occupational or physical therapy.

    We are obviously biased but we think he is a very bright and engaged little boy. He is smiling and laughing, remembers and recognises things around the house, lots of little things that we only see. I also firmly hold the opinion that doctors will always err on the side of caution on a "just in case" basis. The consultant gets to see him for 25 to 30 minute slots every 6 or 8 weeks so imo it's difficult for them to form a proper picture, particularly because they're prolly seeing hundreds of babies a week.

    As she said to us though, we are doing everything we can possibly do and being as proactive as we can be, there is literally nothing more we could be doing at this point so if we have additonal hurdles to cross we will cross them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    It sounds like he is doing great Business Cat. That sounds like waving to me so that’s very positive.

    I really feel I took my eye off the ball here and am lying awake beating myself up about it. My fellow is very good humored and sociable with great eye contact etc but he’s not really gesturing at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,146 ✭✭✭volchitsa


    Our little man has been referred too for more or less the same reasons. The whole pointing thing I don't really understand tbh. If he sees something he wants he reaches for it and we aren't a pointing house. I would have thought that children learn by imitation, if he has nothing to imitate then how would he know to do it?

    :confused:

    're the waving, over the last few days he seems to be waving in his own way, not full blown flapping his hand but if we say "day day" he has started opening and closing his fingers directed at who ever is saying it to him.

    I don't know that we are too worried about things like that. Over the last week or two he has learned how to high 5 as in we say high 5 and hold our hand up he reaches up to meet our hand.

    He has also learned how to play catch. As in I put him sitting a couple of feet away from me, throw a little ball to him, he will pick it up and throw it back (as much as an 11 and a half month old has the dexterity to throw anything with any kind of direction on it)

    We got some of the CK test results back today and thankfully everything came back as normal, still waiting on additional results but afaik the major worries like muscular dystrophy or other genetic issues are not present so that has been a massive relief.

    He is booked in for an MRI for June so in the mean time the physio has given us additonal exercises to do with him to encourage standing and walking and to continue strenghtening his core.

    Our biggest fear was something genetic, anything else can be worked on with occupational or physical therapy.

    We are obviously biased but we think he is a very bright and engaged little boy. He is smiling and laughing, remembers and recognises things around the house, lots of little things that we only see. I also firmly hold the opinion that doctors will always err on the side of caution on a "just in case" basis. The consultant gets to see him for 25 to 30 minute slots every 6 or 8 weeks so imo it's difficult for them to form a proper picture, particularly because they're prolly seeing hundreds of babies a week.

    As she said to us though, we are doing everything we can possibly do and being as proactive as we can be, there is literally nothing more we could be doing at this point so if we have additonal hurdles to cross we will cross them.

    Hi BC,

    my kids are nearly grown up now, but I just wanted to say, the best doctor I ever had was one who told me he preferred to listen to what the parents thought over a lot of the actual "milestone" tests. He said sometimes the baby doesnt react on a given day, but if the parents are worried that is a far more important sign.

    So if you think he's engagaed and so on (paying attention to all this, as you will have been now) then there's a good chance everything isfine.

    I know it's a terrifying thing to go through, and you have my best wishes that it will all pass. Kids, eh? And wait till they go to school! Andstart learning to drive! :D

    Uncivil to the President (24 hour forum ban)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,146 ✭✭✭volchitsa


    fits wrote: »
    It sounds like he is doing great Business Cat. That sounds like waving to me so that’s very positive.

    I really feel I took my eye off the ball here and am lying awake beating myself up about it. My fellow is very good humored and sociable with great eye contact etc but he’s not really gesturing at all.
    You do, don't you, lie awake worrying, I mean? My eldest was a bit like BC's and didnt really talk until he was 2 1/2, though TBH i think he was reaching and stuff. Bu I remember lying awake counting the words he could (barely) say, and feeling I'd been so negligent not to have realized there might be a major problem before that. But you probably couldnt have reacted much earlier anyway.

    Do they have any idea of something in particular that might be wrong, or is it just a vague "missing milestones"? I've no experience of big issues, so cant really help if there is, but I just wanted to say I know how horrible it is to feel maybe you didnt see something you could have seen earlier. I suspect the reality is you probably couldnt.

    Uncivil to the President (24 hour forum ban)



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    volchitsa wrote: »
    Hi BC,

    my kids are nearly grown up now, but I just wanted to say, the best doctor I ever had was one who told me he preferred to listen to what the parents thought over a lot of the actual "milestone" tests. He said sometimes the baby doesnt react on a given day, but if the parents are worried that is a far more important sign.

    So if you think he's engagaed and so on (paying attention to all this, as you will have been now) then there's a good chance everything isfine.

    I know it's a terrifying thing to go through, and you have my best wishes that it will all pass. Kids, eh? And wait till they go to school! Andstart learning to drive! :D

    Thanks for that V.

    I'd be inclined to agree tbh (perhaps that's misguided).

    For example, last time he saw the paed he was sick and hadn't slept for about 7 hours so was wrecked, it's difficult for them to make a proper diagnosis of anything in such short time frames.

    Of course there must be some concern there which is why he is going to be fully assessed but we aren't nearly as worried as we were.

    They do develop at different rates. Little man has been playing peekaboo for months but some or the kids in a mothers group with herself weren't. He has known his name since he was around 6 months old where as some of the others didn't. He was the first to say dada and mama amongst his peers too. Then the other side is that some of the others are hands and knees crawling but he isn't, though he is flying it around commando crawling.

    I also think he is at the stage that he is making a bit strange with people so it's difficult for him to be fully engaged (imo) with someone he is a bit shy/wary of.

    I just don't know!

    Hopefully it's nothing major with him anyway but if there is then we will get him what ever assistance he needs.

    Fits, try and not beat yourself up. We were the same for the first couple of weeks when we were initially told he was going to be referred to the EAT, what did we miss, why didn't we do x,y,z etc but we know that there isn't anything more we could have done. At the end of the day, we have virtually no knowledge of this world so are very much flying by the seat of our pants. Please god your guy will be grand and that if he does need some assistance then he will get it. You can't do anything more than you are doing.

    Who'd be a parent, eh!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,146 ✭✭✭volchitsa


    You know some children never crawl, go straight from sitting on their bum to walking? It's unusual but it does happen. And they turn into normal adults at the end (my o/h's brother did that apparently.

    Obviously its important not to miss out on early intervention, and better to do it unnecessarily than start a day later if it is needed, but I think it's important to remember that physios amd even paediatricians are used to seeing sick children all the time, so I think they sometimes end up having worst case scenarios in their head, and need to eliminate those before going with "It'll sort itself out".

    Which of course is far preferable to someone who wrongly tells a parent everything is grand - but you may also need to remember that when you're waiting for all those unlikely cases to be eliminated.

    That's where I think my old doctor was right - he told me that in his very long experience as a paediatrician (this wasnt in Ireland, and over here it's quite common for smaller children to be seen by a paediatrician the way we'd see a GP in Ireland) questioning the parents is always the best way to know if a problem is real or just an isolated thing, and OTOH listening to parents who think there is a problem when the tests seem fine is just as much of an issue.

    This was when I was panicking about language and hearing (my boy had severe glue ear, and I had convinced myself that was why he wasnt talking, and it was all my fault for not having those drain things put in his ears in time etc etc. It all passed, with supervision, and he's a strapping 24 year old with no issues except bad hay fever!)

    Uncivil to the President (24 hour forum ban)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    volchitsa wrote: »
    .

    Do they have any idea of something in particular that might be wrong, or is it just a vague "missing milestones"? .

    At the moment it looks like they’d call it a global developmental delay until an underlying cause is found. Could be any of a number of things really.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭bp


    volchitsa wrote: »
    You know some children never crawl, go straight from sitting on their bum to walking? It's unusual but it does happen. And they turn into normal adults at the end (my o/h's brother did that apparently

    Can confirm the above it true, neither myself nor one of my kids crawled. Went from army drag (me) and bum shuffle (child) to walking and we were both late walkers. Can confirm we both walk perfectly fine now.

    Kids develop at different rates. One of mine talked early and a lot, the other was a lot slower to talk and would still be slightly behind peers but catching up


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,146 ✭✭✭volchitsa


    I have to say upfront that I dont know about genuine problems to have anything useful to say, fits, but like Businesscat said, I do want to tell you not to beat yourself over it, it's almost certainly not something that you could really have seen any earlier.

    That may sound a bit contradictory to what I was saying earlier, but it's not really - I was thinking of a friend of mine who is deaf, whose mother was being told by the specialists that her daughter was basically subnormal intelligence, when she was saying, are you sure she can hear properly?

    My friend's mum was entirely correct, she was of perfectly normal intelligence but her hearing loss hadnt been spotted by a number of tests. In fact they then decided it was because she was very bright that she was already compensating and looked like she could hear.

    So what I mean is, there can be issues, and the experts do know milestones and things that parents may not, but you know your child best of all, so your feelings and observations are still really important.

    Don't write those out of the picture because you feel you should have done more - you probablycouldnt have, and you are doing what is needed now. And one of the things that is needed is for you to keep your own role as a parent, don't be taken over by the "experts".

    (I'm not too sure if it's clear what I mean, but basically everyone has a dofferent role to play when thee are problems, and parents can feel too "unexpert" to bring what are important things to the discussion.)

    Uncivil to the President (24 hour forum ban)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    bp wrote: »
    Can confirm the above it true, neither myself nor one of my kids crawled. Went from army drag (me) and bum shuffle (child) to walking and we were both late walkers. Can confirm we both walk perfectly fine now.

    Kids develop at different rates. One of mine talked early and a lot, the other was a lot slower to talk and would still be slightly behind peers but catching up

    My twin 2 has been consistently behind on the latest he should be doing things by though. He was late to roll, sit, pull to standing. I knew there was a motor delay and thought I was doing enough as he was waiting to get physio since last September. I returned to work in January and was so caught up in that transition it’s like I forgot to check he was progressing ok in other areas.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭catrionanic


    fits wrote: »
    My twin 2 has been consistently behind on the latest he should be doing things by though. He was late to roll, sit, pull to standing. I knew there was a motor delay and thought I was doing enough as he was waiting to get physio since last September. I returned to work in January and was so caught up in that transition it’s like I forgot to check he was progressing ok in other areas.

    Fits, you’re a wonderful mum - it couldn’t be more apparent from all the things I’ve seen you say over the last couple of years. You’re obviously very dedicated to your boys and devote everything to them.

    You also have your hands full!!! You have two little babas to care for at the same time, you’re back at work, and I think you are also building a house?? I have just the one, I only work part-time, and there are plenty of things I don’t pick up on. We are only doing our best. You didn’t take your eye off the ball - you’re just getting on with life, and a busy one at that. And at any rate, he’s been referred and being seen to so what more can you be doing anyway?

    Please don’t be so hard on yourself. You love those boys so much and care for them so well and should be very very proud indeed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭bp


    As was said above you are going a great job, and with twins...wow hats off. It is so hard being a parent and trying to juggle everything at once


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,246 ✭✭✭judeboy101


    OP, not sure if you hv health insurance, but if not get some now and get the kid on it asap, hopefully turns out to be nothing but if it ain't you'll be thankful of the private insurance.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    judeboy101 wrote: »
    OP, not sure if you hv health insurance, but if not get some now and get the kid on it asap, hopefully turns out to be nothing but if it ain't you'll be thankful of the private insurance.

    My two are on a policy. But why do you say that?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,246 ✭✭✭judeboy101


    fits wrote: »
    judeboy101 wrote: »
    OP, not sure if you hv health insurance, but if not get some now and get the kid on it asap, hopefully turns out to be nothing but if it ain't you'll be thankful of the private insurance.

    My two are on a policy. But why do you say that?
    Way quicker access to wider range of specialists not all the best paeds workin public system. We had a false positive for hypothyroidisms in public system with baby was told we would hv 6 week wait for paed endrocronologist, got one next day through private. God forbid but had she had that disease those 6 weeks with no treatment might hv made the difference tween going to trinity or IT blannchardstown.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭catrionanic


    judeboy101 wrote: »
    God forbid but had she had that disease those 6 weeks with no treatment might hv made the difference tween going to trinity or IT blannchardstown.

    Did you seriously just come out with that?

    Ugh!!!


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,246 ✭✭✭judeboy101


    judeboy101 wrote: »
    God forbid but had she had that disease those 6 weeks with no treatment might hv made the difference tween going to trinity or IT blannchardstown.

    Did you seriously just come out with that?

    Ugh!!!
    Early intervention in hypothyroidism ameliorates the possible onset of cretinism. Cretinism significantly lowers IQ potential and IQ has a direct correlation with LC points. Points in Trinity are vastly higher than those for IT Blanchardstown. The logic is sound, scruples aren't a luxury when you have a potentially sick child.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Fits, you’re a wonderful mum - ed.

    Thanks. This set me off earlier. I wish I could stop freaking googling


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,037 ✭✭✭yellow hen


    I hadn’t seen this post before today. I’m a good bit further on than some of you here. My son is almost 5 and was referred to early intervention at around 3 because he only had 4-5 words, wasn’t great at pointing, answering his name etc. He also intoes quite a bit and has low muscle tone. He reached all his gross motor milestones on time so the muscle tone didn’t have a huge impact. He’s had an MRI and it came back clear. He has regular SLT and OT now (mostly at home with us) and he’s making great progress. He may have dyspraxia but not so bad that it’s very evident as of yet. It’s been a very emotional 2 years and most days I can’t see how a bit of OT can make a big impact but it is absolutely apparent now that small and constant efforts are resulting in great progress. He swims and horse rides once a week and his muscle tone is like 100% better. He just seems to be one of those kids who is late to the party but is getting there in his own time. We’re not out of the words yet but I just wanted to say that so many kids have little struggles but if you find a therapy and stick with it you will see the results. Good luck OP and try not to worry. And most importantly, don’t let the stress impact on the enjoyment you should be getting from your child. Enjoy the current day and try not to think too far forward. Best advice I ever got was from a paediatrician who told me ‘life is a marathon, not a sprint, X has his whole life in front of him and he’s pacing himself’.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Thanks yellow hen. I’ve been called for an appoinyment next week which is very quick. I’m not sure what to expect at it as there’s no more information in the letter.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,037 ✭✭✭yellow hen


    fits wrote: »
    Thanks yellow hen. I’ve been called for an appoinyment next week which is very quick. I’m not sure what to expect at it as there’s no more information in the letter.

    Is this for an mri?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    yellow hen wrote: »
    Is this for an mri?

    I don’t think so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 270 ✭✭Hani Kosti


    Fits as mentioned many times, try not to worry too much (is that even possible when it comes to your baba?)
    My LO has been seen by a physio since she was born. Prognosis was not great at the beginning but she is beating all odds, little trooper she is.
    Consistency is the key, little by little, loads of small steps will get you there.
    You're doing the best you can!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    fits wrote: »
    Thanks yellow hen. I’ve been called for an appoinyment next week which is very quick. I’m not sure what to expect at it as there’s no more information in the letter.

    Is that for the EAT?

    We filled out and sent back the referral form over a month ago and have not heard a dickie bird from them as yet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Is that for the EAT?

    We filled out and sent back the referral form over a month ago and have not heard a dickie bird from them as yet.

    I think it’s an initial assessment to decide if we need referral to EIT. But I’m not sure.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    fits wrote: »
    I think it’s an initial assessment to decide if we need referral to EIT. But I’m not sure.

    I rang them this morning to follow up on juniors referral.

    Spoke to a lovely lady (administration) and she told me that the way it works is that the therapists sit down together every 4 to 6 weeks, review all the referral forms and then decide if they are going to bring the child in or if another area/department would suit them better. Our lads file will be reviewed at the next meeting but she couldn't say when that would occur but it will be in the next few weeks.

    The thing is, it was us that filled out the form based on what the paed had told us and I don't know if she also sent her thoughts in as well. I'd hate to think that we didn't fill in the form correctly or give the right information and that he may be overlooked because of that.

    It's a terribly confusing system.

    We aren't nearly as worried as we were though. He said his first proper word today (We don't really consider mama, dada and baba to be proper words) I was giving him his breakfast yesterday morning and I thought he had said it but wasn't 100% sure. Then this evening the missus was showing him the pattern on our farmyard table mats and naming the animals, when she said duck he repeated it, clear as day. Then of course he wouldn't say it again when we tried to get him to. We think he is also saying quack and all gone, too. He has a little comforter that we call duckie which he loves so it makes sense that that duck would be his first word. Really weird hearing him speak!. Like he has been constantly jibber jabbering for months but to hear a proper human word is kind of surreal.

    It's little things like that that makes us believe that if there is something that needs work that it isn't anything that can't be remedied.

    The physio gave us some additional exercises for him to get him to stand from a seated position. When I say seated I mean we sit him on a little step and he places his hands on the armchair or bedbox and pulls himself up.

    He's still quite wobbly and we wouldnt leave him standing without one of us behind him but there is definite improvement there.

    He still doesn't crawl on his hands and knees but tbh, we aren't worried about that all anymore.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,777 ✭✭✭✭fits


    From what you have posted I wouldn’t be worried at all either. He doesn’t sound as though he is delayed at all.

    Apparently it’s the area medical officer we are seeing next week. My lad is progressing well but nothing like a word yet from either of mine. Just the mana dada stuff.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 6,914 Mod ✭✭✭✭shesty


    But fits they are only....what...14 months?honestly I would expect very little by way of words from them at this stage.Babble mostly, noises.And you are in the position of having two, one to compare against the other.I only realised that can be a bit of drawback when my second arrived and I was mentally comparing her development to the first at the same age.They genuinely do all develop so differently, at their own time.Even now I am looking out at no.2 (age2) digging in flower beds and transporting earth around the garden, while no.1.(now age 3) would never ever have done that, and they are both girls.Their language has developed so differently too and how and when they each started to walk/crawl , it was an eye opener to me.No.1 crawled at 10/11mths, walked at 14mths, no.
    2 crawled at 7 mths, walked at 16/17 mths (but climbed on effing everything....).It happens in their own time.


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