Speech problems and toe walking?

Can someone in the know tell me about the correlation between the two? My DS has a speech delay. At first I thought it was just articulation but he was tested and has low scores on expressive language (this was almost a year ago) He receives speech through the school district (he's 3 1/2 now) He also toe walks so his speech therapist suggested getting him evaluated for OT. They never even watched him walk...just did sensory-type stuff with him and fine motor skill type stuff. They said they saw some core weakness but he didn't qualify for OT through the SD. I am now going through my insurance bc I am not playing the 'wait and see" that the SD wants to do while he is so hard to understand, even for me. Our speech therapist spoke with my pediatrician about it and the ped referred me to a neurologist but she wanted to be sure the neurologist wasn't quick to give an autism diagnosis without further investigation.

??????????

Are neurologist's quick to give a diagnosis of ASD based on these 2 things alone? Yes, I have read a lot about the correlation but I don't see how my DS fits any other type of characteristics of ASD at all. But now I am questioning myself bc that's all you see when you type the 2 things in to your browser to check it out online. The word autism comes up on everything. I don't see how that makes any sense with him but I am still freaking out over here. Someone who knows about this stuff, tell me something...good or bad. His toe walking doesn't seem to be sensory-related as he has no signs of any sensory stuff at all. Help!

Re: Speech problems and toe walking?

In my experience it seems some are very quick to diagnose. I have a PDD diagnosis based on a 20 minute meeting with my son. Ironically I also have a non-ASD diagnosis from a different neurologist based on a separate 20 minute meeting. None of DS's therapists think he is actually on the spectrum and they see him every day. However, as much as I might not believe the diagnosis I have used it in order to maximize the amount of services I get from EI which has worked to my advantage.

It's so very hard to hear, process and deal with. Get second opinions. Try to actually get an appointment with a developmental pediatrician in addition to the neurologist. And then take it from there. It sounds likes if your son was on the spectrum you might not have as much doubt as you do. He may just have a sensory issue.

Hang in there

Re: Speech problems and toe walking?

Thank you, I had no idea about neurologists being quick to diagnose like that but it makes sense based on previous experience, not with my son and his speech though. I def do not think he is on the spectrum but I am really itching to get this all figured out and get him all the services he needs now instead of waiting another year with the same speech services (speech therapist is great but I think he needs more, more of something...)

You are 100% right, my gut knows. That reminder actually helps a lot.

Re: Speech problems and toe walking?

I just want to add, I'm sure (or at least I hope) not all neurologists are so quick as the two I saw. To me giving a family this diagnosis should come with a lot more due diligence than it did for me.

Re: Speech problems and toe walking?

It could be sensory. It's not black and white.

You probably will need to start keeping notes on when he does it. Is it on carpet? Barefoot only or with shoes? Does he have any other behavioral, stimming, going on at the same time? Etc...

A behavioral and development doctor could help you. But again, there are some good one and some bad one. Try to get a recommendation in your area. One of the doctor at Schneider Hospital requires 2 visits so they can assess better the child than a short one time visit.

You might want to have a PT eval too. While it might be sensory = OT, the lower body is handled by a PT.

Re: Speech problems and toe walking?

My DS has gotten speech therapy since June...he actually just received his 6 months evaluation and no longer qualifies. He will be 3 in April so I will have him retested by the school district at that point.

Occasionally my DS toe walks. I freaked out about it also because everything I read put toe walking and autism together. My ped. told me not to worry. None of his evaluators or therapists thought he was on the spectrum. But I couldnt get it out of my mind so I brought him to an orthopedist. Of course he didnt toe walk the entire visit He said it is not unusual for kids to have "idiopathic" toe walking until the age of 3, sometimes a little longer. There really is no reason, they just do it. Yes there is sometimes a correlation but it doesnt seem to be the case with my son.

Ironically he went about a month toe walking, only when he was barefoot. Not when he wears his sneakers. Than he stopped the whole summer. Than when we brought home DS #2 I see him doing it again occasionally. It could be slight sensory thing, it could be his because of stress and changes in his environment. I am not super concerned about it. I watch other children his age very closely since he started therapy and he is no different than any of the other kids his age. Developing normally. I see other kids his age putting things in their mouth, my friends daughter is 2 and I have seen her toe walk. I really just think it is something he will outgrow.

My friend is a PT and I spoke to her at lenght. She said her son does it (and he is 4) when he gets super excited. Just when he gets excited. He has no speech delays or any delays for that matter.

I have thought about bringing DS to a developmental ped. because he is sometimes very sensory seeking...he will occasionally toe walk, likes to jump alot, and occasionally puts this in his mouth still (although he used to do this all the time). To be honest, I am with you. Afraid they will evaluate him for an hour and label him with something he is not. Every child has quirks and it doesnt interfere with his every day functioning and noone else notices any "sensory" issues so I dont see it as problematic.


ETA: The orthopedist also told me toe walking can be hereditary. Did you or DH toe walk? I know my cousin did when she was younger.

Message edited 12/15/2009 8:28:11 PM.

Re: Speech problems and toe walking?

Matthew walks on his toe and he has NO speech problems at all.