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Has anyone's child learnt to walk with a kaye walker or similar?

11 replies

bishboschone · 25/07/2013 15:45

Ds is just 2 and can't walk . (He has an Undiagnosed genetic problem )... He is walking really well with his walker as of last Friday. I just wondered has anyone got their child to walk independently with the help of one of these walkers and roughly how long did it take ? Tia

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sioba · 25/07/2013 20:09

We're not at that stage yet my little man (with an undiagnosed genetic problem) has just got a standing frame. But are you a member of swan uk (syndromes without a name), its a great support group with a very active Facebook page. I'm sure someone on there would be able to answer your question.

bishboschone · 25/07/2013 20:58

Thank you .. To be honest I'm a bit scared of that website . How old is your son?

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Thereonthestair · 26/07/2013 12:27

Hi. I know your ds doesn't have CP but come and have a look over on the cp threads as there are a lot of us with walkers over there

My DS uses a kaye walker has done since he was 22 months, he can now walk with sticks, but not quite independently. however there are lots of people with older children who had walkers where the children then grew out of them. Madwoman and hairy mclary spring to mind.

As for how long, that depends on the child and the condition. With DS I am currently betting on it taking 2 years 6 months before we are without the walker

bishboschone · 26/07/2013 12:38

Thank you , I will try and find you. My son presents very similarly to cp but they paed says its genetic and won't do an MRI .

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Thereonthestair · 26/07/2013 15:05

here we are

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/1671211-Support-information-sharing-thread-for-parents-of-children-with-Cerebral-Palsy-Part-2

I have heard a theory that an MRI on children thorught to have dykentic cp when it actually shows no damage is an indication of a genetic disorder. DS has spastic CP though so not relevant to us. However if motor skills are an issue there are people far more knowledgeable than me on there and they may have other answers to other questions

HairyMaclary · 26/07/2013 21:02

Hello! Yes DS used a walker from 3 until 6. He started walking independently at 4 but continued to use his Kaye walker in the playground or for longer distances. At about the same time , age 4, he started to use tripod sticks as he got a better gait pattern that way and he had to go slower!
So at school he'd use sticks in the classroom and Kaye walker in the playground.

We have carried on this transition and he now uses normal sticks, not tripod ones within school and therapeutically (ie at Physio). He is completely independent in the playground although he does fall regularly. At home he walks with no aids unless his gait is terrible when we make him use sticks but for longer distances or days out he uses a wheelchair.

DS is now 8 and has CP so is slightly different, I do have two friends both with DC with undiagnosed genetic conditions. One no longer uses a Kaye walker or any other aids and while her gait is not completely normal it's not far off and is improving all the time, that DC is now 6 and dropped the Kaye walker before starting school.

The other DC is 8 and still uses his Kaye walker but can take independent steps, for him it's more bout confidence and t's been a slow steady improvement. His gait is perfect in the walker.

It's a mixed bag and depends on many things, most of which we, and the professionals don't know. How exactly the brain will respond, how much Physio you have access to and your hold will tolerate, how any physical progression will be helped or hindered by growing bigger.

Good luck, ssorry for the l

HairyMaclary · 26/07/2013 21:03

Oops, meant to say sorry for the long post but thought I'd give you an example of the range!

elliejjtiny · 27/07/2013 09:41

DS2 had a kaye walker for 6 months when he was 2/3. He started walking independently after about a month and can now walk short distances on his own (he is 5 now) but uses a wheelchair for longer distances.

sioba · 28/07/2013 08:25

Hi - sorry didn't see your reply. My son has just gone one. I know what you mean about being scared. Bit I've found it useful since I joined - finding out what therapies others do has been great. I don't know anyone in
real life who doesn't have a diagnosis so it helps to know that we're not the only ones.

sioba · 28/07/2013 08:26

P.s. pm me if you'd like to know more without having to jump straight in.

bishboschone · 28/07/2013 13:54

Have pm'd you . Sioba

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