DS 8 is toe walking

[changeisasgoodas]

My DS is 8 and consistently walks on his tip toes. It only started about 12 months ago, there were no problems when he was a toddler.

He's also awaiting an assessment for ADHD and possible dyspraxia, and I'm wondering if there's a correlation. He has really poor fine motor skills and is constantly moving. He also has some sensory issues and I'm wondering if this could be part of it?

I don't think there's a physical reason for it, he CAN walk on his heels when I remind him to.

I'm going to start by talking to the GP, but wondered if anyone else had experience of this?

Anyone?

This is really quite common in children with SEN diagnosis, things like ADHD, sensory and ASD. It's a bit more bouncy when you walk on your tip toes and I think it's the sensation they like. X

There is a definite correlation

There is a correlation but it could just be something he does. Both of mine toe walk, age 7 and almost 9, no SEN. They both say they like how it feels and that's it! DS2 did a few years of ballet but I can't remember if it was connected, he kind of "dances" when he walks sometimes.

I know two teen boys who still walk on their toes. One has an ASD diagnosis and the other doesn't.

My DS walked on the balls of his feet - not so much on tip toes, but his heels never touched the ground. This youtube link of Jamie Dornan on the Graham Norton show is not only hilarious, but it explains perfectly what DS was like.

He doesn’t have any SEN, but he IS hyper mobile and has completely flat feet - as in; no arches at all. The podiatrist describes his feet as a bag of bones. They way they can manipulate them is absolutely gross to watch. His calf muscles are really tight despite daily exercises too, although they are slowly improving.

He has orthopaedic insoles which have definitely helped, as have the exercises, but he still has to remember sometimes to walk “heel to toe” and not “toe to more toe”. He is a runner and runs about 25-30k a week which has helped with strengthening too, but he has to be more careful than most to avoid injury.

I’m not saying to ignore the SEN side of things, but definitely worth seeing if you can get a referral to paediatric podiatry for an assessment too.

I am 30 and have toe walked all my life. No SEN diagnosis, but I do have absolutely appalling coordination and wouldn't be surprised to find myself diagnosed as 'on the spectrum'? It's never caused me any problems though! Some people just toe walk

I toe walked as a child and still occasionally find myself doing it now and I don't have SEN. Some people just like the way it feels or do it out of habit.

DS toe walks constantly - he’s about to turn 6. No SEN. I panic occasionally about it but he’s completely fine.

My adult son has been a tip toe walker all his life. No idea why. No sen needs or coordination problems.
I have memories of him doing stretch exercises to his calf muscles before football matches, as they were tight and shortened.

Thanks all, that is really interesting. I am worried about the impact on his calf muscles, surely they will become really tight and prone to injury?

I do have absolutely appalling coordination and wouldn't be surprised to find myself diagnosed as 'on the spectrum'?

'On the spectrum' is not a diagnosis.

Please, if you mean Autism, name it. 'On the spectrum' is some pissy phrase people use to minimise a diagnosis or suggest they are 'a little bit autistic'

Yes, one of the ways he did it was to stand on a bottom step of the staircase, facing up the stairs, with his heels over the edge and gently apply his balance downwards to extend the calf muscles. Just a few stretches were required but on a regular basis.