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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Almost 4 year old can't walk.

27 replies

MammaKel · 06/11/2024 12:34

Hi all,

Sorry to post in aibu but I'm desperate and don't get many responses from SN children so hoping someone may have a suggestion as I've always found mn helpful.

My son has a genetic condition that causes development delays and mild intellectual disability. He's also been dignosed with ASD, GDD and hypermobility.

He is almost 4 years old, he is massive both tall and heavy (but not fat). He's in size 5 to 6 clothes and slowly creeping towards 6 to 7.

He's also limited verbal.

That's the background so the problem is he can't walk, he walks around on his knees. He can't stand independently, everytime we try his legs buckle beneath him and he falls.

He can stand with support holding onto the wall, or the sofa and can cruise. It's been like that for the last 18 months, he hasn't progressed any further than that.

Professionals keep saying he'll walk in his own time and that's it, they can't offer further support because there's no physical reason he isn't walking.

Today at a CDC group a member of staff has raised concerns about his ankle strength and we need to get him walking (like we haven't been trying to?!)

He has weekly swimming lessons and a walker at nursery (although he refuses this mostly and will become extremely distressed if they try and encourage him to use it). He also attends weekly physiotherapy (the CDC group) but all they say is he'll walk in his own time.

I'm at a loss, I genuinely don't know what to do and was wondering if anyone out there had any advice.

Thank you

OP posts:
PrettyParrot · 13/11/2024 11:42

And when I say handle, I specifically mean the bit his hands touch, as you don't want him so distracted that he puts his hands on the wrong bit of the walker and so doesn't use it properly!

WaitingForMojo · 13/11/2024 12:06

Wow, I have no direct experience or expertise here but I wanted to answer as an autistic person and the parent of autistic dc to say that your physio sounds horrendous, and I’m not surprised you’re unhappy with that advice. To say that something is ‘just’ sensory and should be forced shows no understanding of sensory needs. If it is a sensory issue, that is very real and what he’s recommending would be abusive and cruel. Could you seek a private assessment or a second opinion?

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