Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much (UPDATE #2 - GOT OUR APPT)

DS just turned 1. Still only crawling backwards. No walking. Not cruising. Can get around on a ride on toy but only backwards. Can use a walker but only backwards? I know, all babies are different.

But, I have noticed in the last two weeks that I truly believe the fact that he isn't mobile is causing him distress. I can tell that he wants to be able to get what he wants, when he wants. He wants to be independent. But can't figure out how to get there. He's constantly whining, reaching out for stuff, diving face first onto the floor only to be able to go backwards. I can see (and hear) the frustration. It makes my heart ache. And I feel like I can't do anything about it.

We have his 1 year appt on Wednesday and even though I've spoken to them about it I really need some advice. What is it that I can be doing to help him learn the forwards motion? If I try to pick him up to all fours he screams bloody murder. I know he has the ability to do it. Just doesn't know that he can. He only just started sitting up by himself on Sunday. So at least that's a start. His hand coordination is really good. But what do I do? Just wait it out? I just can't stand the helplessness anymore.

UPDATE: got in touch with EI....we did all of the paperwork that we need to do over the phone...agency will contact me within 5 days to set up the in-home evaluation which is free of charge and is about 2.5 hours. That should be scheduled within 20 days of the agency contacting me. The counselor said that in order to qualify he needs to show at least 25% behind 2 major groups (gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, emotion, and something else) OR more than 33% delay in one group. For him all i know of is gross motor but they will evaluate him on the rest anyway. Hoping this comes soon...thanks for the advice. Will keep you posted!

UPDATE #2: Went to ped. yesterday for his one month check. Without me mentioning that I called EI he suggested we do so so I'm glad he was onboard. Ped thinks he will qualify.

EI called today and we have an appt for 8/6 which is the soonest they could squeeze us in. So it is earlier than I thought and a therapist is actually going to come to the appt. which is good. I'm anxious to get the ball rolling! I did nicely push them a little and the caseworker was actually really nice and willing to help me out....so far so good!

Message edited 7/24/2008 3:53:05 PM.

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

You said he only just started sitting himself up on Sunday? You mean getting himself to sitting right?....Crawling and pulling up should follow shortly then.....

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

My DD is only 10 months old, but she went through the same thing.

She literally crawled, pulled up to stand and sat up on her own in a week.

She did the backward thing for a while too, and I saw how frustrated she was. And one day, she just did it.

I'm sure your DC will get there too.

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

honestly, if he cannot move himself around by a year- either by scooting or creeping or crawling, and cannot pull himself to a stand, i would probably call EI. first of all- once you call, it takes about a month for them to get all set up, so best case scenario, you call, and he is denied for services cuz he learned to do all this. second- what is the harm in calling? he may just be a little physically delayed, and EI is wonderful- but the earlier you start the better.
btw- is he pulling to stand? because i know thats one of the milsetones they look for at one year to qualify for EI

ETA: typos

Message edited 7/21/2008 8:35:27 PM.

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

I would call EI and schedule an evaulation. It's free and you have nothing to lose. Yes, most children will eventually crawl, and cruise and walk, but the fact that it's delayed could indicate a possible underlying problem.

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Lisa...Mollie didn't crawl until after her first birthday. She rolled around, but didn't actually crawl until almost 13 months. She then shortlly pulled herself up on the couch, chair, etc. She didn't start walking until 15 months...and look at her now. Matthew seemed like he was doing fine on Sunday...maybe he just needs more time.

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

dont know how it works in Jersey- sorry. i've only had experience with NY. I imagine ped would know though. GL!

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

In NY you just call EI directly without a referral, not sure if NJ is the same. I do have to point out that a lot of pediatricians are still on the "all babies are different" mentality, so many don't refer people to EI. So even if your ped. says it's not an issue, I would still make the call, especially since *you* feel he may need more help. When DS was little, the therapists came to his daycare to provide services, so that's always an option.

I found a site for EI in NJ

http://www.njeis.org/

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Your DS sounds very much like my DD. First off, my DD did walk before one year but couldnt do anything else and hated crawling and every thing else that involved using her gross motor skills.

The only way she would sit is if I put her in that position...the only way she would stand is if I put her in that position. I never ever once saw her sitting or standing in the crib. She never really rolled over either. I can count on one hand how many times she rolled.

She couldnt transition herself to do anything. Like I said, I had to do it for her. If I didnt she would start to cry because she couldnt get where she wanted.

Anyway, I called EI and they evaluated her. To my surprise, even though she was walking (barely), she qualified. A lot of her gross motor skills were too far behind. She couldnt do things that an 8 month old would do. Needless to say, she is low toned. Not drastically low toned, but enough that it interferred with a lot of movement.

EI really helped her. She is now done with PT and can do almost anything. She still has problems trying to step on and off things and cant weight shift much but she can now stand, sit, crawl, roll, bend over to pick up toys, squat while playing and she is starting to run.
(She is 18 months and recieved PT for 6 months). I noticed an improvement within 2 weeks of therapy.

Just call EI. It does not hurt or cost anything to just have him evaluated. If he doesnt qualify then he is just a little slower but if he does it will help him out so much. You will be happy with the results, I promise. You will need your the ped. to sign a form but you do not need to get the okay to do it. I just called on my own even though ped. said she was fine. The ped. wasnt aroudn to see her not doing the things that other kids were doing, thats why I just went with my gut. I was right, she just needed some help.

I am now in the process of getting a speech eval. because DD doesnt have any words yet. Like I said, it doesnt hurt. They work wonders on these kids.

FM if you have anymore qustions. I would be happy to help!!!!

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Lisa, I've mentioned to you before that Christopher did not crawl til just after 1, didn't pull up, didn't pull to sitting, etc in the month after. Between 12-13 months a HUGE difference,and now, just before 15 months he just getting ready to walk.

Yeah, the other kids are doing it first, but he will do it, and so will Matthew

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Aw Lisa, I know this is something that is ripping at your heart each and every day. I don't know that I really have any advice that is going to make you feel better... I think the only thing that will do that is seeing Matthew start to crawl around on his own.

I can, however, offer you lots of and a good ear to listen if you ever need to vent!

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Posted by luvsun27

Lisa...Mollie didn't crawl until after her first birthday. She rolled around, but didn't actually crawl until almost 13 months. She then shortlly pulled herself up on the couch, chair, etc. She didn't start walking until 15 months...and look at her now. Matthew seemed like he was doing fine on Sunday...maybe he just needs more time.

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Lisa,
As I mentioned on Sunday, all children do develop at their own pace. I do agree with the above posters though, if it helps to ease your mind, definitely call EI for an evaluation. Worse comes to worse, you can always cancel the appointment when Matthew starts to walk on his own if it is before the scheduled appointment. It really can't hurt to be proactive

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

As other posters mentioned, give EI a call. Your DC may qualify, may not.
My DS is recieving services and I have nothing bad to say about them.
Even today, the therapist said she is seeing big improvements.
It won't hurt to call.

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Posted by lbelle821

Posted by luvsun27

Lisa...Mollie didn't crawl until after her first birthday. She rolled around, but didn't actually crawl until almost 13 months. She then shortlly pulled herself up on the couch, chair, etc. She didn't start walking until 15 months...and look at her now. Matthew seemed like he was doing fine on Sunday...maybe he just needs more time.

Thanks Kim

The thing is that to me it is apparent in his personality over the last two weeks that he wants more freedom and is just so frustrated. Like when I had him at Jeremy's play kitchen. He couldn't get himself to stand there...but once i lifted him up he would play there for hours if he could.

I know you told me about Mollie....she was a tiny little peanut. At 13 months did they still look at the fact that she was a preemie in evaluating her physical development or at that point does it even iteself out? Matthew is giant. Who knows, maybe that's the issue. I'm relieved we have the appt on Wednesday though with the ped. I really hope they don't just try to placate me by saying it's fine.

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Thank you so much everyone...i'll keep you all posted.

Interesting tidbit - while EI is free in NY it appears it isn't in NJ unless your income is less than 350% of the poverty level. Which for a family of 3 is $60,500 total family income. Anything above that you have a copay. Interesting how the two states differ. This doesn't change me wanting him to get any assistance he needs...to me its worth every dime I will need to pay. And who knows, maybe he won't qualify or he won't need it.

Thanks again

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Posted by lbelle821

Thank you so much everyone...i'll keep you all posted.

Interesting tidbit - while EI is free in NY it appears it isn't in NJ unless your income is less than 350% of the poverty level. Which for a family of 3 is $60,500 total family income. Anything above that you have a copay. Interesting how the two states differ. This doesn't change me wanting him to get any assistance he needs...to me its worth every dime I will need to pay. And who knows, maybe he won't qualify or he won't need it.

Thanks again

Re: Need Advice - 1 year old who still doesn't move much

Posted by sal79

Posted by lbelle821

Thank you so much everyone...i'll keep you all posted.

Interesting tidbit - while EI is free in NY it appears it isn't in NJ unless your income is less than 350% of the poverty level. Which for a family of 3 is $60,500 total family income. Anything above that you have a copay. Interesting how the two states differ. This doesn't change me wanting him to get any assistance he needs...to me its worth every dime I will need to pay. And who knows, maybe he won't qualify or he won't need it.

Thanks again

really? i though EI was a national thing.