Toe walking is observed in 15% of children. Toe walking is not risky when you first start walking. Continuing toe walking after the age of 3 is risky and you need support.
Why Toe Walking?
Continuing toe walking in children after the age of 3 is risky. In this case, it is necessary to consult a specialist Occupational Therapist. As toe walking progresses, the foot structure deteriorates. The spine of our little ones, who cannot evenly distribute the body's weight on the feet, is also affected. You may be faced with the risk of scoliosis problem in advancing ages. Toe walking can occur for many reasons. These
Neuromuscular Disorders: We often observe it in cerebral palsy disorders. It arises from the problem experienced due to the weakness of coordinated muscle movement.
It may occur due to the shortness of the Achilles tendon in the posterior leg muscles.
It can be caused by Sensory Integration Disorder. Toe walking is observed due to regulation, deep sense seeking and sensory sensitivity observed in children.
It could be a symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder. But autism is not suspected in a child just because of toe walking.
Idiopathic, that is, toe walking of unknown cause may be encountered.
It is necessary to get support without losing time in toe walking.
Is Toe Walking Sensory Integration Disorder?
Sensory problems in children can cause toe walking. These :
Sensory Sensitivity: Children who do not want to touch the ground under their feet prefer to walk on their toes. Sensory sensitivities, which are frequently observed in children, negatively affect their children's lives in many cases.
Visual: Toe walking is observed in children with visual motor disorder caused by sensory integration disorder. Standing on your toes changes the angle of view and this allows you to better notice your surroundings.
Regulation: In sudden mood changes (irritability, anxiety and fear), they stand on their toes to regulate themselves.
Seeking Proprioceptive Input: Our children in search of deep senses engage in toe walking in order to put more pressure on their feet on a smaller surface area.
Should I Get Support from Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapists make the diagnosis and intervention of sensory integration disorder of toe walking in children. With the necessary treatment techniques and the participation of the family, toe walking can be terminated at an early age.
Occupational therapist Hülya YAMAN
I am Occupational Therapist (Sensory Integration Specialist) Hülya YAMAN. I graduated from Biruni University Occupational Therapy in 2019. I am currently doing my Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy at BIruni University. After graduating in 2019, I worked with children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Bulgaria and Lithuania and gained experience in international treatment methods.
