Hi Imperfect Mums,
My three year old child tippy toe walks more than 50% of the time, and has done so when they learnt to walk.
We have been to our GP and also to a podiatrist and a physio and have a follow up appointment in a few weeks with the physio since it's been roughly a year since we last saw her.
The tippy toe walking has not really improved in the last year, my child can physically walk flat footed and the other day walked flat footed the whole way to school. I try to remind them to go flat footed and do exercises that the physio spoke to me about.
A close family member of mine walked on their tippy toes until they were five and then "grew out of it". Has anyone's child done the same? My child is reaching all of their milestones, but their daycare teacher spoke to me this morning and mentioned it could be a sign of autism. Has anyone's child walked on their tippy toes and this has been the case? Or was it just a habit and they grew out of it? I am just worried I should be doing more for them.
Thank you
2 Replies
We are a family of tip toe walkers. Most of us have outgrown it, and I find some shoes are better than others for deterring it with my son. Heavier boots seem to keep him more flat footed. I try and keep in very well fitted shoes that are a bit pricier to make sure the balls of his feet are well cushioned.
Yes some people with autism toe walk, and it never hurts to discuss your child's development with a peadiatrician. Some kids still aren't being diagnosed until they are in school and some in high school. I'd rather discuss with a peadiatrician and it be nothing than not discuss it and it turn out to be something.
Definitely yes it can be a sign of autism, however it certainly isn't the case in a lot of instances. A lot of things can be a symptom of an autistic child however the spectrum is so broad it is hard to say yes or no. I'd contact a child paediatrician and have a chat to them. A GP can't really offer much in terms of rectifying this as it isn't their specialty and a podiatrist looks for classic signs of a problem with foot growth, the bridge not developing and weight balance. If they don't find anything they can't do much unfortunately.
I know someone who grew out of it when they were 5, however I also know someone who didn't and they had specially made weighted shoes/boots that he had to wear 70% of the time. This rectified all issues and was suggested by a paediatrician :)