Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, & developmental issues in toddlers

[cozziecane]

Hi there,

Our little man is starting to see a team of specialists regarding his slow development with his gross and fine motor skills, low muscle tone (not sure if it's Hypotonia yet) and speech. Just wondering who else out there has been/is going through the same thing. I'm riding a roller-coaster of emotions at the moment about the whole ordeal, but we're getting him the best help he needs right now.

Thanks for listening...

[Miss.B]

Hi sweetie, first of all big hugs to you How old is your little man? We're doing similar ATM, my DS is 19 months and quite behind so it seems with most things. We have just had the 18 month check up and following that we've had a test done to assess his fine motor/gross motor skills, development and speech. He scored a bit low for what is should be for his age so we're off to see a developmental paed. I am so scared ands riding this emotional roller coaster too, because I'm scared what they will tell me. He isn't walking by himself yet, isn't pointing to things which apparently is a huge concern according to the MCHN, and basically not really following simple instructions. He completely ignored her during his assessment, yet when we got home he was very responsive to me and DF. I don't know what to think because we can engage him with pretend play, make him do a few things so he is able to follow instruction, and I think he understand a lot of what we say to him. Yet the MCHN said he seems to be living in his own little word

[CeCe]

Yes, yes, yes. DS started child care at 9 months and as they do, got cold after cold. We thought he'd be sitting soon but the colds were delaying him so at 12 months we finally 'gave-in' and acknowledged to ourselves that something else may be an issue. We went to the GP who referred us to speech therapy after doing a tick and flick of what DS was doing. He scored fairly low.
We were a little confused by this as our main concern was lack of wanting to sit up (DS would throw himself backwards even if were fully supporting him). Anyway, speech referred us to physio and a feeding clinic as you can access speech through the feeding clinic. We started to see a physio around 12 months, and with fortnightly sessions in the last 2 weeks DS has started to sit by himself. We still can't just put him down in the middle of the room as once he's had enough he'll still throw himself back, but it's progress.
Physio referred us to Occupational Therapy due to concerns with sensory issues and as DS may need assistance with things like rolled ankles etc when he does get mobile. DS hates tummy time and has always refused to put weight through his legs when held upright. He always has. Googling low muscle tone, this is one indication. If only I'd known...
My paed has examined DS and just said he has a large head in proportion to the rest of his body, but speaking with other people, they have pointed out there are plenty of other children with large heads and don't all have trouble sitting etc. As the paed seems to be just focusing on the big head, and at the prompting of the MCHN I'm changing paeds, but like Miss.B there is a long waiting list. I guess it's a good sign though as they one I'm currently seeing was only about a 6 week wait.
I do get overwhelmed by it all and sometimes I think I'm looking for issues when they may not really be there, especially when talking to other people who keep telling me "he'll do it in his own time", or my 'favourite' "don't rush him, you'll miss him being where you put him when he's walking". You know, if I felt confident that walking was a sure thing, and it would be an easy skill for DS to pick up, I'd be fine with that comment, but I'm not.
Sorry, I've gone on a tangent about myself, but you are not alone. It is a rollercoaster. I just have to remind myself to take a day or a step at a time. I hope some ladies who have come out the other side post here and offer some support.
xx

[skybie]

i will mention this to Razzberry,im pretty sure her little miss had hypotonia

[Razzberry]

Hi, Thanks Skye for letting me know bout this thread!!

Yes my dd had/has hypotonia (which is the fancy name for low muscle tone). My dd's was picked up at her 6 month health check and then a paediatrician agreed aswell and so went saw a physio for a year. She was always behind for gross motor stuff like rolling, sitting, standing and walking. However she has completely caught up now. I am not sure if it was the physio or it just took more time. The physio said many children have hypotonia they just aren't diagnosed, but are the later developers. At our last appointment (18 months) the physio said that noone would know now by looking at DD (only a physio and a paediatrician if they looked hard.

I was very scared about what this may and could have meant and it is so incredibly stressful being told your child is not doing the "norm".

Ask any more questions..

[CeCe]

Thanks for coming in and sharing Razzberry.

I guess I'm in a state of confusion atm. The MCHN suggested I see a different paed as our current one is not looking past one thing, but I'm not sure what we need the paed for if the physio has diagnosed low muscle tone. Did your paed do any tests, or did they just confirm the low muscle tone diagnosis? Am I looking for issues by going to a paed? I guess my mind is telling me atm that going to a paed is looking for something more sinister than 'just' low muscle tone. How would a paed compliment the physio treatment we're already getting? Sorry for the barrage of questions. I'm just trying to get my head around all this and try to make wise, educated decisions.

The other thing I've been told is this is ongoing and DS will always have to deal with it. It sounds like your DD has done really well. Does she require ongoing treatment, or daily exercise to maintain where she is at now?