Just a random question

[siblingrivalry]

I'm currently doing the DLA renewal and it's asking about unusual gaits/walking.
I nearly ticked 'no' as a matter of course, but then I started thinking-

DD is 11 and she doesn't actually toe-walk, but she kind of 'bounces' when she walks, so that her heels don't touch the ground as much as the front of her feet.

Does that make any sense? It's a crap description

I noticed it loads the other day when we were out for a walk and she was ahead of me. I don't know if that's just her walking style or not?

Just looking for others' stories/opinions please.
TIA. Am going out now, but will be back later.

I wouldn't have said DS1 tip toe walks - he seems to slap his feet down. When you look at his shoes though, they tell a different story. The heels are never particularly worn, but he wears holes at the front near his toes, and frequently takes the toe area on the upper out but constant scuffing as he walks.
Shoes can tell a lot about how someone walks - leaning inwards, worn on one edge etc. Worth a look.

sibling From what you have said, I would tick the yes box.

My DS2 shuffles, won't wear shoes (unless I force him and even then he squashes down the back of the shoe). He takes them off asap when we get back indoors. Takes one sock off, but not the other

I think it's a misconception that unless you toe-walk, you don't have an unusual gait, where ASD is concerned anyway - I am presuming that is what your DD has?. DS2 slaps his feet down as well auntevil when he's back in the house.

Thanks for the replies
Sorry, yeah, she has ASD (forgot to say).

Weird about the shoe thing- she wears the fronts out faster than I can keep up with. The sole always comes away at the front and she is really 'heavy' on shoes iykwim? But the heels are always okay, so that now makes sense. We end up gluing the fronts cos the rest of the shoe will look immaculate.

How daft am I? I fell into the category of thinking that an unusual gait meant tip-toe walking, as you say Ms Nobody. Feel a but silly now, cos I always remarked on her 'bouncing' to dh, but didn't make the connection.
Oops

Also think about arm movements, the physciatrist told us that many autistic people hold their arms in an unusal way when the walk. They dont naturally swing their arms. Dd3 twists her hands, flaps and flicks her fingers while walking. This can make her look unbalanced[physically not mentally] and looks unusual.

That's a good point Ineed. DS2 doesn't swing his arms as he's always holding 2 things - a toy car or a Power Ranger, and he grasps them in a strange way.

Even when he is asleep, his hands are placed in an unusual position. Always on his chest and splayed out. He never appears truly relaxed.

OP - good luck with the renewal (and you are not daft! ). I'm submitted DS2s a few weeks ago.

DD kind of flexes her arms and hands when she walks and wiggles her fingers. This will be interspersed with the occasional shake of her whole hand.

INEED- that's a really good point to pick up on, thanks.

Thanks for the best wishes MRSNOBODY- good luck with yours too.

I thought ds walked normally until he had his assessment and they said he had an unusual gait.
I can see it now... He is a bit twisted and his head is held strangely. He also almost half- hops occasionally... It's not an actual hop but nearly.
He doesnt tip-toe walk or bounce though.Dh bounces like you describe though!

Oh, I do that for dh too
He is most definitely undiagnosed AS.

Doesn't have an unusual walk though, but it makes me smile when I see his daily pills/vitamins laid out in size order, in a neat row.

That's a