How can I improve my son's posture when sitting and walking

[TinySocks]

DS is 3.2yrs and has a developmental delay , it affects all areas of development.

He has mild hypotonia, his limbs and back are weak (specially one side of his body).
I am getting worried about his posture. His back is never straight when sitting, always curved and slightly slumped towards his weaker side. I know that this should improve as he gets stronger, but I think that it will take a long time before his body gets there and by then this way of sitting will become a habbit difficult to change.

Does anyone have any ideas on what can be done to help him sit properly?

The other problem is his posture when walking, his balance is good now, but he insists on walking with one of his arms bent up (like babies do when they are just starting to walk). This is also becoming a habit, and I know of a boy with neurological problems that still does it at 11. Any ideas on what can be done to stop this?

I hope some of you can give me some clues on this!

Are you not seeing a physiotherapist at all? If not, I would suggest you ask for advice from one, as to permanently adopt a slightly lopsided position is not going to do his back much good in the long term, and a physio ought to be able to suggest exercises or techniques to help, which will also speed up the strengthening of his back and limbs. And yes, I know getting appointments with physios is like getting blood from a stone (I lost my son's physio as soon as he could walk, although she has promised to keep her book open to see him again if he starts getting painful joints), but it would be worth pushing for it, even if just for a review, rather than a series of appointments.

The Riding for the Disabled Association always used to claim that posture and back strength were key benefits of horse riding.

I used to do a lot of voluntary work with them 100s of years ago and my experience tended to confirm that.

I don't know whether horseriding would be something helpful for your little boy, or whether he would be quite old enough. But it might be worth thinking about. And it is fun of course.

Try sitting with your son on the floor with him between your legs. This will stretch his legs out and you can make sure he's sitting straight! We also have a yellow bench (provided by our physio) which is angled forwards slightly. This helps him to put his weight through his feet and sit up straighter.
My son walks with both arms up now - used to be just one! I find that if I prompt him (constantly) and tell him to put his arms by his side, stand up straight and look where he is going then he walks much better! It has to be continuous reminders though I am afraid. Good luck

Well, he goes to physio once a week, I have asked her and she has given me no words of wisdom on the matter (she has many years of experience).

I have taken him horse riding once every two weeks for the last 2 years, his posture is great when he is on the horse, but that is it.

I was wondering if there is any garment or some sort we could buy to force his back to be straight? (sorry if that sounds a little strange).
Thanks for the replies!

If anyone else out there has any other ideas, please please let me know.

You could ask for a lycra body suit assessment (through your physio), although I am not sure it will completely correct his posture. My son had an assessment and we were told his muscles were too strong to be corrected by the suit!
If you are not happy with your physio ask for a second opinion from someone else in the department. You need to contact the physio manager. Has your physio had lots of experience of other children with similar difficulties to your son?

Thanks for that Nat, will try to find out about the lycra suit. I don't live in the UK, DS goes to a private physio (here it gets paid 100%), she is the big boss and I have been very happy with her up to now, but everytime I ask her if she has any suggestions as to how to improve his posture all she tells me is that we have to wait for his muscles to stretch and to get stronger. With regards to his arm consitantly up, all she says is that it is balance problems, which I don't buy anymore, his balance is fine.

No idea how to fix this, as you say, I might look for another physio and get a second opinion.

Thanks!