4 yr old ds falling over all the time ...

[ejt1764]

DS has always been a bit clumsy, falling over everything and nothing, but I just thought it was normal - not having anything else to compare him to.

He's very active, and likes to run and jump, and does gymnastics, successfully and is very coordinated then, but just falls over the slightest thing outside of gymnastics (and as a result is covered in bruises!). He also knocks things over ...

Now, I just thought, oh, he's a bit clumsy, but today the childminder who looks after him when I'm at work took me to one side and said that she's concerned because he falls over more than any other child she's ever known.

What should be my first port of call? Doctor? to say what? or optician? to get his eyes checked out? Or should I just put it down to it being one of those things?

He's completely normal otherwise developmentally - apart from a slight speech impediment ...

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

ejt

If you are concerned I would either take him to the GP (and mention your childminders concerns) or chat to your health visitor? Can't hurt to put your mind at ease!

have a look at this

Sorry that was all a bit alarmist - I should really learn to think before I post. I have a dyspraxic son and concerns were first raised when aged 4 because he fell over so often.

Thanks for that info Hassled, I've looked at the list, and although he can be said to have 3 of the things listed, (lack of sense of danger, messy eating and falling over) - the rest are the very opposite of him - ie he loves jigsaws, and will spend hours doing them, and his level of creative play astounds me at times.

Thanks for pointing it out to me though - at least I'm not going to be going in like a fool saying that I'm not quite happy!

ejt

My DS was like this, although it eased off once he was 4. One theory I heard from a doula is that as they grow so quickly, kids are inherently clumsy because their centre of gravity changes a lot more frequently than an adults. Even tiny weight gains will affect balance apparently, as the weight is being added to such a small frame IYSWIM. Not sure how much this is based in fact though, but it seemed to fit for DS, he´s not so clumsy any more.

HOw experienced is the childminder? Is she an old hand, or fairly new to ti? Perhaps she is worried that as he bumps himself so much you will be suspicious of her care of him when he is in her care?

Maybe the next time you go to the GP you could mention it? Also, isn´t balance something to do with ears? Has he ever had any problems with his ears?

Don´t know if any of this will help you, but I know exactly how easy it is to get worried on stuff like this!

HTH x

Might be worth checking for very mild cerebral palsy. In mild cases it often doesn't show till 4 or so and then its clumsiness and can be misdiagnosed as dyspaxia.
Expressing concern could get some physio and OT help.