14/15 month old late-ish walkers - how's it going?

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm 12:57 from above, just wanted to update this thread since our 15 month check-up yesterday.

After giving us his height and weight, the NP led right into concerns about his development, saying "he failed his gross motor." I was like, huh? since that statement in and of itself makes no sense. She went on to explain that since he's not walking yet, he's considered to have "failed" his gross motor on the Ages & Stages questionnaire. I tried to probe further, since I've never heard not walking at 15 months to be of concern (and I'm a psychologist, so reasonably informed about development). She just kept defaulting back to the Ages & Stages. FWIW, I'm still not concerned about him: he actually took a few independent steps over the weekend, and every week brings some new thing he does. He's super chatty (even if we don't understand most of what he says yet), very curious, social, etc. We're still debating whether to pursue an EI eval.

Anyway, just wanted to chime in that we received this feedback, accurate or not. I have a hunch that our regular ped wouldn't have been that concerned, and if she had, would have discussed it with a lot more sensitivity and context.

[Anonymous]

OP here - just saw this resurrected DS turned 15 mo this week and we had his appointment. Ped wasn't even slightly concerned - said concern begins at 18 months (he also, FWIW, commented on his size - he is huge - 98% height, 75% weight - and said big babies often walk later).

He also started taking 4-5 independent steps literally the day we left the ped office. Interesting, pp, that you got that feedback, especially since so many here insist that 15 months without walking isn't late (I think it IS late, although not "of concern" late).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:14-15 months is NOT late for walking. Nor is it "late-ish."

Disagree. DS is the oldest in his daycare class of 6 (kids are 10-16mos) and the only one not walking (he's 15mo). It's definitely on the later side of average, thought not "officially" late.

[Anonymous]

My tall dd walked at late 14 months. Now at 17 mo just started to walk well. For three months she was a very stumbly walker

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm 12:57 from above, just wanted to update this thread since our 15 month check-up yesterday.

After giving us his height and weight, the NP led right into concerns about his development, saying "he failed his gross motor." I was like, huh? since that statement in and of itself makes no sense. She went on to explain that since he's not walking yet, he's considered to have "failed" his gross motor on the Ages & Stages questionnaire. I tried to probe further, since I've never heard not walking at 15 months to be of concern (and I'm a psychologist, so reasonably informed about development). She just kept defaulting back to the Ages & Stages. FWIW, I'm still not concerned about him: he actually took a few independent steps over the weekend, and every week brings some new thing he does. He's super chatty (even if we don't understand most of what he says yet), very curious, social, etc. We're still debating whether to pursue an EI eval.

Anyway, just wanted to chime in that we received this feedback, accurate or not. I have a hunch that our regular ped wouldn't have been that concerned, and if she had, would have discussed it with a lot more sensitivity and context.

I would look up the Ages & Stages questionnaire yourself online to give yourself peace of mind, and wouldn't bother with an evaluation. Once they take a few steps, they usually become confident walkers within 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

My twins walked at around 17 months. It was a huge PITA lugging them everywhere, but no other issues besides that. They pretty much just started running when they started walking--they are right on par with all their motor skills. (They're 2.5 now)

So it really isn't a big deal, though it does seem like an issue when your kid is walking 6 months after when a lot of kids start walking. Try not to worry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - just saw this resurrected DS turned 15 mo this week and we had his appointment. Ped wasn't even slightly concerned - said concern begins at 18 months (he also, FWIW, commented on his size - he is huge - 98% height, 75% weight - and said big babies often walk later).

He also started taking 4-5 independent steps literally the day we left the ped office. Interesting, pp, that you got that feedback, especially since so many here insist that 15 months without walking isn't late (I think it IS late, although not "of concern" late).

Glad to hear it, OP. My son's height percentile has increased since the 12 month (from 70th to 90th), so I think it may take a little extra work coordinating with that kind of jump.

I found her feedback interesting, too, and am actually not happy with how she broached the issue. She hadn't even taken a second to look at him, didn't ask to see him move, nothing. She also didn't contextualize the Ages & Stages either; making a referral for early intervention based on a response to a single question seems absurd. And, yay for the independent steps! We had them last weekend (though two or three), curious to see what he does next. It's not just here that I've heard not walking at 15 months is unremarkable; I have many colleagues who specialize in working with very young children, and 18 months has been their cut-off, too.

For the PP who recommended looking up the Ages & Stages: thanks. Being a researcher, I already looked up the psychometrics for the darn thing, and apparently how many places (including our ped's office) use it is to suggest that referral if a child is two standard deviations or more from the mean. So, that's what she did. On the one hand, I don't want to not have him evaluated if there's something really going on, but I also don't want to increase our stress unnecessarily (may be too late for that). I'm just irritated with how poorly she raised the issue.

Oh, and the best part is that she didn't mention any of this discussion in the note! Just "well child." Note to self: don't see her for future appointments.

[Anonymous]

Curious when your late/late-ish walkers started crawling? My almost 9 month old is showing no signs of crawling and wondering if I should be concerned and whether it means she'll be a late walker.

[Anonymous]

1st kid walked at 15 mos. after being an early roller, sitter and crawler. But didn't really progress beyond beginner walking skills and later spent 2 years in PT for low tone issues. Today he's sporty but has balance issues and has to work harder than the average bear to do well.

2nd kid also had early milestones and walked at 15 mos. But from there, he was able to drop-kick a ball by 18 mos. and now almost outruns his brother.

Look at the whole picture, not just one data point n

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS was 15, almost 16 months. He's now 5 (almost 6) and very active with no delays.

All kids are different. His older brother was 11 months, younger sister was 12 months.

Exactly. First DD walked at 12 months. Second DD was 16 months. They are now 7 and 4 and I do not see any difference in their physical abilities (for their age.) I think its kinda random personally. I will say that my 2nd DD seems a little more timid - less adventurous. Not sure if that has anything do with it or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious when your late/late-ish walkers started crawling? My almost 9 month old is showing no signs of crawling and wondering if I should be concerned and whether it means she'll be a late walker.

I'm the PP directly above you:

My son (the one still not walking at 15 months) crawled at 10.5 months. Gross motor hasn't been his priority development-wise, but he has great fine motor skills, is a very curious problem-solver, and loves to play social games.

My daughter walked at 14 months after crawling right at 9 months. Again, gross motor wasn't her priority (she's the smiliest kid on the planet). Neither kid had/has low-tone issues, which is part of the reason I haven't been concerned. They're both also fairly careful: neither is the type to go jumping off something high or shove a fistful of blueberries into their mouths. Referencing a recent PP, I absolutely think those temperamental differences impact development in the various domains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious when your late/late-ish walkers started crawling? My almost 9 month old is showing no signs of crawling and wondering if I should be concerned and whether it means she'll be a late walker.

Op here - mine started crawling on the early side, and is incredibly fast and adept crawler This may be related to why he doesn't want to walk – he just gets everywhere superfast by crawling. He looks especially funny doing it because he's so big for his age.

[Anonymous]

Hi - OP here just resurrecting this in case anyone searches for it later on. DS2 is now 16 months and started walking last weekend (a few days after turning 16 months). When I say 'started walking,' I mean now seems to prefer walking to crawling, takes off walking immediately upon being put down, stands up again and walks (vs crawling) after falling, etc.

He's definitely got that Frankenstein straight-legged walk going, but it seems like we're getting there

[Anonymous]

thanks for the update! I have a 14 month old who has only taken a few steps independently (otherwise she cruises, uses a push toy, or holds on to our fingers). I'm getting nervous as we approach the 15 month checkup, so reading this thread has helped.

[Anonymous]

I was one of the posters from that thread! My ds is 16 months old today and he's really off and running just within last 2 weeks!