still not walking

[marie3246]

DD will be 16 months in a few weeks and she still isn't walking. We started PT shortly after she was 1 year bc she wasn't walking pulling up, cruising, crawling (just butt scooting), but the one we were referred to was $600 each time and while we do have an HSA, that would eat up our account in no time. Luckily the PT was awesome and referred us to another program that she thought DD would qualify for and they have awesome prices for their services and they come to your house. She had to have several people come out and test her (PT, OT, behavior specialist, and an early interventionist) This took over a month bc they would do one test, and then decide she needed more etc. 

During this time, she continued to progress and I became less worried since we were having specialist come in each week to give new tips. She is now pulling up to stand, cruising, she can crawl, but doesn't do it unless we force her. She can climb up on the couch, walk all around it, turn around and stand up by resting her butt on something, but she still won't walk. She will take a few steps if you hold her hand, but doesn't squat down to sit, she just falls on her butt. She finally finished all the qualifying for the program and based on her previous scores she did qualify and sent someone out weekly. I thought this person was a PT, but she is not. However, she is good and has several degrees (speech, behavior masters, and another I cannot recall) she is good with DD and while I see DD progressing I don't feel what we are doing each week is focusing on her walking (more her overall behavior). And I love having this lady come bc she helps a lot with DD's other behaviors and gives me overall tips. 

At what point would you be worried that she isn't walking? I felt better for awhile, but really felt she would be there by now. I expressed my concerns to the lady that comes and she is having a PT come next week. However I am now starting to panic again since everyone always questions why she isn't walking yet and I feel like I have to explain that we have her in therapy etc. Should I be pushing for more PT time? or something else? Or should I just calm down?

[drloretta]

What does your pedi say?

ETA: I mean, you have her getting services, and she's improving. I like the idea of a PT coming to at least do an eval and see if it's a matter of continuing to work on things or a more serious issue.

It sounds like you're doing a great job so far.

[bearbaby]

DS was a slightly later average walker (15 mos), but I had similar initial concerns - he was a later crawler, wasn't pulling up/standing at a year, etc.

We did an Early Intervention assessment and he wasn't behind enough in that one area to qualify. I understand the anxiety you may be feeling.

Our Pedi was pretty clear that she wanted to see continued 'progress', and that even if he wasn't walking by 15 mos (as discussed at our 1 year), it was ok as long as he'd developed new skills from 1-year. She said that she didn't have concerns until 18 mos.

What is your pediatrician's guidance? I'd start there and then follow-up based upon that conversation if you think additional or different therapy may be helpful.

[countthestars]

My pedi didn't care at all until 18 months. DD started walking around 16 months, but did nothing but butt scooting until after a year. I'm actually surprised they had you do PT so early for the other things - did she have any other diagnosis (low muscle tone)?

[curbsideprophet]

I thought 16 months was still within the range of normal? I don't think I would be overly concerned since it sounds like she is making progress.

[sh10]

DS is in Early Intervention and his PT says up to 18 months is considered normal for walking, even if it is on the later side. I would ask you PT (or equivalent) to focus more on walking skills. Our PT is very receptive to questions/concerns.

[jr009j]

Our pedi didn't care until 18 months. That being said, we did an Early Intervention evaluation at 15 months and decided to give it until 18 months to see where she was. She would have qualified based on professional judgment at 15 months (she was so far ahead on small motor skills and verbal skills that she wouldn't have qualified based on the test alone). She started services at 19 months and walked the next day.

I would push for more PT time based on what you've said.

The thing that got DD1 walking was having her sit on a step stool. For some reason, she was able to stand up and go from there really quickly. She never cruised or climbed and only rarely pulled to stand.

[osulori]

My pedi wasn't worried that AJ wasn't walking yet at his 15 month appt, and said if he wasn't walking at 18 months we'd talk about a referral for an evaluation. He started walking right around 16 months, maybe on the later side of 16 mos but definitely not before that...and my PT friends were all "SEE?! We told you he was probably fine!" I think it's great that you guys have been so proactive already, but at the time time the fact that she's not walking yet wouldn't worry me. I can see why you're worried though, because I've been there.

[lg28]

My DS didnt walk until 18 months, which was the cut off for s specialist referral here. He walked a week before his appt.

No one could tell me not to worry because I did, but even at 16 months they are still 2 months away from when our specialist would be concerned, and if they're making progress otherwise that's great!

[luckyno7]

My DD didn't walk until 16 - 17 months and the only reason she started walking was because on Easter she was wearing a dress and couldn't crawl in it. I stood her up and she started walking. She was slow on all her large motor skills (crawled late, really didn't even cruise around furniture). I would talk to your pedi to make sure they didn't have any concerns.

[everafter07]

I was always a little concerned about my DD, she did all of the gross motor stuff on the late side. I think she crawled around 15-16 months, pulled up around then, too, and walked at 18-19 months. She'll be 2 next month, and climbs and runs now. She was just happy to sit and play. She's also very cautious. If everything else seems developmentally on or close to target, I wouldn't worry.

[sparkle]

Lurker chiming in to say that my now 21 month old was very similar. He actually didn't start walking until 19 months and now 2 months later you would never know he was a late walker.
We had early intervention come in at 17 months and they showed us some exercises and stretches to work on, but honestly I feel like he just wasn't ready to walk yet.

[abs]

My DD didn't walk until she was 16 months. She had the ability to do it long before but she just didn't want to. When she did decide to walk she did it perfectly and was running the next day. She was not one of those kids that takes a step or two and falls. That has been her personality with every single milestone.

Now at 4.5 gross motor skills are actually a strength of hers. So, you never know. I would call EI if you haven't already but if she's making progress I wouldn't worry yet.

[Deleted]

Dd didn't start till 16 months, my friends son started at 19 months. Neither had any sort of intervention and both developed 100 % on track otherwise.

[kitty63]

Neither of mine walked until @ 15 months and our dr wasn't concerned. According to our dr. if they can pull up and cruise they are fine. That shows they are physically able to walk but are just not ready to walk independently. Hugs

[cinco]

She is in PT (or about to get services) and improving. That is great! DD1 also started PT at a year, was crawling at 17 months, walking at 20. At 2 years she graduated PT. It took a little while for the gross motor coordination to get there , but she is an athletic 8 year old now.

[marie3246]

Jun 23, 2015 8:42:11 GMT -5 drloretta said:

What does your pedi say?

ETA: I mean, you have her getting services, and she's improving. I like the idea of a PT coming to at least do an eval and see if it's a matter of continuing to work on things or a more serious issue.

It sounds like you're doing a great job so far.

Previous to this, she had hip X-rays bc a different pedi found that her butt folds weren't even. Everything ended up being normal and no hip issues. At her 1 year the new pedi was slightly concerned since at that point she wasn't pulling up or cruising at all. He referred me to a PT who helped, but was crazy expensive, so we were then referred to a EI program, which just finally started. At her 15m he seemed less concerned since she is progressing. He said we would reevaluate at 18months. 

Jun 23, 2015 8:45:00 GMT -5 bearbaby said:

DS was a slightly later average walker (15 mos), but I had similar initial concerns - he was a later crawler, wasn't pulling up/standing at a year, etc.

We did an Early Intervention assessment and he wasn't behind enough in that one area to qualify. I understand the anxiety you may be feeling.

Our Pedi was pretty clear that she wanted to see continued 'progress', and that even if he wasn't walking by 15 mos (as discussed at our 1 year), it was ok as long as he'd developed new skills from 1-year. She said that she didn't have concerns until 18 mos.

What is your pediatrician's guidance? I'd start there and then follow-up based upon that conversation if you think additional or different therapy may be helpful.

DD was behind enough at the first test, but if she were to take it today she would not likely qualify. The progress she has made has been largely on her own I think. We have had 3 PT appointments since her 1 year. The lady that has been coming has come 2 times and has helped, but she really wants me to focus her on crawling rather than walking. At this point DD has no interest in crawling. She just wants to climb on everything. I do discourage her from scooting on her butt, however she is very content just sitting and playing. Getting her to go long distance is an all day fight. 

Jun 23, 2015 8:47:40 GMT -5 countthestars said:

My pedi didn't care at all until 18 months. DD started walking around 16 months, but did nothing but butt scooting until after a year. I'm actually surprised they had you do PT so early for the other things - did she have any other diagnosis (low muscle tone)?

She did not have any other diagnosis and does not have low muscle tone. The lady that is coming now, thinks that its DD's temperament, but I am wondering if I should push more for her to see a PT or just give it some more time.  

Jun 23, 2015 9:06:10 GMT -5 jr009j said:

Our pedi didn't care until 18 months. That being said, we did an Early Intervention evaluation at 15 months and decided to give it until 18 months to see where she was. She would have qualified based on professional judgment at 15 months (she was so far ahead on small motor skills and verbal skills that she wouldn't have qualified based on the test alone). She started services at 19 months and walked the next day.

I would push for more PT time based on what you've said.

The thing that got DD1 walking was having her sit on a step stool. For some reason, she was able to stand up and go from there really quickly. She never cruised or climbed and only rarely pulled to stand.

I will try the step stool. DD is very far ahead on speech and fine motor, but they have said this is because she is focusing on this rather than the gross motor skills. 

Jun 23, 2015 9:58:18 GMT -5 @cookiemonster03 said:

Is the person coming an OT?
I'd talk to her and tell her you're really concerned about the walking.
She's still young though.

She is not an OT, but DD has had several OT evals. Also one of my best friends is an OT and sees her often. They both agree that while she may have slight sensory issues (she is very cautious with touching things for the first time, but overcomes them after a small time) that they are not interfering with her ability to walk. 

Jun 23, 2015 12:08:25 GMT -5 kitty63 said:

Neither of mine walked until @ 15 months and our dr wasn't concerned. According to our dr. if they can pull up and cruise they are fine. That shows they are physically able to walk but are just not ready to walk independently. Hugs

I asked the pedi what the next steps were if she isn't walking by 2 and he said then they would move towards nero, but he doesn't think that will be an issue. I am a worrier though and its so hard to see a bunch of younger kids walking all around her and everyone always asking if she is walking yet. 

[marie3246]

thanks everyone. I will ask about having a PT come as well and just continue working with her. She is so stubborn as well, so I do believe that is part of it. It really does have to be her idea.

[countthestars]

Given your update, I wouldn't change anything you are doing and reevaluate at 18 months. I know it can be hard, but she's still well within the normal range!

[thejen626]

Up to 18 months is considered "normal".

DD1 walked at 14 months...DD2 didn't walk until she was 20 months old.

[mrslisa]

Our pedi didn't care until after 18 months although we did do a hip u/s since she was breech. DD2 wouldn't cruise and would collapse her legs if you tried to hold her hand and walk. At 15 months she had zero interest in walking. One day after she turned 16 months we were sitting in her room when she stood up from sitting on the floor and walked across the room. That night she walked all around Costco. She never had the shaky first steps. We swear she was secretly practicing.

[abs]

Jun 23, 2015 19:35:07 GMT -5 mrslisa said:

Our pedi didn't care until after 18 months although we did do a hip u/s since she was breech. DD2 wouldn't cruise and would collapse her legs if you tried to hold her hand and walk. At 15 months she had zero interest in walking. One day after she turned 16 months we were sitting in her room when she stood up from sitting on the floor and walked across the room. That night she walked all around Costco. She never had the shaky first steps. We swear she was secretly practicing.

That was exactly what my DD did.  I would watch her on the monitor practice walking around her crib.  It was months before she did it for an audience.  Then she did the same thing with talking.  No single words for her.  She practiced different sounds every night and at nap time and then busted out with sentences.  Lord knows what will happen with reading.