4yr old walking on his toes.

[Choclatespread]

My DS has been walking on his toes for 2-3 months on and off. Although I noticed it, didn't really make a big deal about it, just thought it was a habit, and he would grow out of it.
Anyway his teacher, has raised a concern, and has suggested we get him checked as he is also falling over quite abit at school.
Has anyone had any experience of this, or know anyone like this?

MrsJ...go back to your GP and see how you can get a referral to a paediatric physio

and fwiw, the command heels down might be more effective

shouting "tiptoes" can reinforce it

worth a try...

AF- I was also going to say the same, I'm constantly saying "FEET DOWN",saying TIPTOE would want to make him TIPTOE.
Morecoffeeplease- he doesn't have constipation at all. He is going at least two times a day, if not more. However sometimes he walks like he has wet himself, like really awkward walk, iykwim.
Mrs J- hope you can get a referral for a physio.

Yeah I think we should change it to "heels" maybe. Phoned GP yesterday to refer us again. Forgot to say that DS1 also gets leg pain, mostly near the end of the day especially if he's walked a lot. Sometimes I have had to carry him around as he's crying with it . I put it down to just growing pains initially but it happened so often I thought it was to do with the way he walks. Can I say that it's really not helpful to talk about autism if the OP had no other concerns about his development.

I toe walk, so do DS2, my father and grandfather. None of us have ASD or any other comorbidity. It's called idiopathic toe walking.

It didn't cause me any problems as a child, but as an adult I've had quite painful problems with my Achilles tendons and, as a result, have tried to help DS do it less. I've found wearing shoes to be the easiest way to encourage heels down walking so have taken to wearing soft shoes inside and encouraging DS to do the same. Too much time barefoot and we're both up on our toes again. On the plus side, it does result in shapely calves :o

The thing is although he complains of leg pain and now it's also upper arm , he never screams of pain.
He is never in his slippers at home, he plays on the bed a lot, so once they are off they don't go back on unless we are going out.
I find heavier shoes are better, but like I said it doesn't take long for him to get his shoes off.

GP has referred DS to a paediatrician specialist. Now waiting for an appointment to come through.
MrsJ did you manage to get a referral?

Just waiting to get an appointment with our GP now. DS1 is hardly able to put his left heel on the floor :(

We've got a referral, GP taking it seriously as we could see that ds1's left foot can't be put into a right angle. Hopefully it won't take long for him to be seen.

i knew a children's podiatrist when ds was a baby and she said this was one of the most common problems she encountered. it's apparently part of why they warn off spending too much time in walkers and bouncers as it encourages this kind of posture.

could you see a paediatric podiatrist - it probably isn't that expensive to see one for a one off consult and if it helps well worth it.

Check his feet with an orthopedist as it could be that he is a bit flat footed. Many flat-footed children tiptoe as it is easier for them to walk this way.

My 12 yo DS Has always walked on his toes, he is also flat footed. He used to get a lot of pain after playing football as he plays for 2 different teams and we discovered fantastic insteps from Dr Scoll which fit inside any shoes, trainers or football boots. He wore them for 6 months and it totally corrected the way he walked, now he no longer walks on his toes and does not get any pain after running or playing football. They come in different sizes so they are appropriate for all ages and I would definitely recommend them.

Thanks all, will see what the specialist says and try these avenues if i'm not happy with what the guy says.

Mrsjamin I'm glad to hear you have got a referral.
We are still waiting for a appointment to come through, hopefully it won't be too long now.
Thanks for all the replies.