hypotonia - strength issue

[Anonymous]

Kid has mild hypotonia. He is upset that he can't swim faster compared to peers because he has not much strength on upper body & lower body when he swims backstroke & freestyle. He is still working on his strokes.He height & weight is average for 9 year old. Would eating more meat help? Any activity/exercise help to strengthen his body? He has adhd, so he has a ton of energy all day long unmedicated. It is more strength (physical body) issue than energy level.

[Anonymous]

Has he had OT or PT for the hypotonia?

[Anonymous]

He’s 9. Remind him that swimming is for exercise and for fun. Telling him that filling up with meat so he swims faster is how kids get wrapped up in their times.

Let him be a kid. Remind him that good sleep, hydration, and healthy eating in general (balance!) and that it’s okay to not be amazing, just work to beat his own times.

[Anonymous]

We have found swim team amazing for our kid (age 9) with hypotonia. She's a much stronger kid and athlete, after a year of summer and club swim. But one other thing that has also helped. We installed a little indoor gym in a doorway, with a bar on it that they can switch out with things like swings and gymnastics rings. We only have it up during school year to help our ADHD kids regulate emotions and run off energy. But coincidentally the indoor gym has helped our 9 year old with upper body strength because she can't pass it without doing pull ups, flips and tricks on the bar and rings.

[Anonymous]

Swimming is a great sport for kids with hypotonia. Your kid's ability to swim is an amazing feat. Other kids with hypotonia are not as lucky.

Our DD just learned how to swim at nearly 8 years old. We never gave up because we were told this sport is very good for hypotonia.

If he is having a hard time, please get him evaluated by PT and possibly OT. They will let you know what is really going on with him.

In terms of feeding him, we really don't know. All we were told was to give her a variety of food.

I myself have mild hypotonia and used to tire easily. I just had to persevere more than others.

Your son will get stronger after a year of club and summer team. But I do recommend getting him checked out by PT first.

[Anonymous]

How is his technique?

I would have him really focus on form- learn to swim breast and fly as well.

Some younger kids can get away with poor form simply because they are bigger, but as they grown it evens out and the ones with good form often prevail.

[Anonymous]

To add to what I posted above- also have him work on turns. Kids can gain and lose a lot of time on turns at this age.