pigeon toed related to Autism?

[Anonymous]

I have a soon to be 12 yr old son. When he was 5 took him to childrens hospital for some testings and other medical examinations and I have been searching everywhere on the internet to find out if there is any connections for pigeon toed being related to Autism. My son goes to speech therapy at school and to the local university as well to OT for his hands to get them strengthened. I was wondering if anyone knows or can tell me where to look. I have been doin alot of research and nothing is coming up as related to pigeon toed and Autism. please help

[Anonymous]

Does your child have autism? Do you suspect he has autism?

I don't know whether autistic kids are more or less likely to be pigeon toed, but regardless, that's not a diagnostic test. Does he have the social and pragmatic language deficits that are characteristic of autism?

[Anonymous]

My sister is pidgeon toed and is not autistic. Her daughter is pidgeon ties and graduated magna from a major university.

[Anonymous]

Anecdotally, I can tell you that I am pigeon toed and not autistic. Growing up, my parents asked me to keep my feet straight, but reassured me that pigeon toed runners are the fastest.

http://elitetrack.com/blogs-details-3820/

While your DS may or may not be autistic, he has the potential to be a fast runner.

[Anonymous]

Toe walking has been associated with autism, but I've never heard that pigeon toes are associated with autism. Lots of people without ASDs are pigeon toed.

[Anonymous]

Pigeon toed runs in my family - no autism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Toe walking has been associated with autism, but I've never heard that pigeon toes are associated with autism. Lots of people without ASDs are pigeon toed.

Definitely true. Unfortunately, our pediatrician didn't catch that. I kept commenting about DC being a toe-walker. There are other gait issues that are often associated with Aspergers. Also digestive issues. I mention that only because our pediatrician didn't catch that either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Toe walking has been associated with autism, but I've never heard that pigeon toes are associated with autism. Lots of people without ASDs are pigeon toed.

Definitely true. Unfortunately, our pediatrician didn't catch that. I kept commenting about DC being a toe-walker. There are other gait issues that are often associated with Aspergers. Also digestive issues. I mention that only because our pediatrician didn't catch that either.

Really? I brought this up with our pediatrician because I had concerns about my DC and toe walking. He basically laughed at me and made me feel like an idiot. I dismissed it but now I am worried.

[Anonymous]

You need to change pediatricians if yours ever laughs at you and makes you feel like an idiot.

[Anonymous]

I would post your question on the SN board, fairly certain that most everyone will say that there is likely no correlation or connection. I frequent that board a lot as I have a DS with significant ADHD.

It sounds like there's a reason why you're asking this question or going down this path. Are you wondering if he is on the spectrum or has someone mentioned something to you?

You didn't mention if any of the testing involved a thorough neuropsychological exam with a psychologist. If you haven't had him tested, I would to either rule it out and put your mind at rest or to give you more clarity at what you might be looking at so you can really help him where he needs the most help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Toe walking has been associated with autism, but I've never heard that pigeon toes are associated with autism. Lots of people without ASDs are pigeon toed.

Definitely true. Unfortunately, our pediatrician didn't catch that. I kept commenting about DC being a toe-walker. There are other gait issues that are often associated with Aspergers. Also digestive issues. I mention that only because our pediatrician didn't catch that either.

ASDs are neurological and they have a component that involves disruption of the vestibular system. (Vestibule is in the ear and it helps control balance.) It can cause gait disturbances, but toe walking is the most common. It could cause pigeon toe, maybe. If you are worried about it, see a neurologist with experience in autism. Pediatricians are not that well educated in ASDS, for the most part. They miss the more subtle stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Toe walking has been associated with autism, but I've never heard that pigeon toes are associated with autism. Lots of people without ASDs are pigeon toed.

Definitely true. Unfortunately, our pediatrician didn't catch that. I kept commenting about DC being a toe-walker. There are other gait issues that are often associated with Aspergers. Also digestive issues. I mention that only because our pediatrician didn't catch that either.

ASDs are neurological and they have a component that involves disruption of the vestibular system. (Vestibule is in the ear and it helps control balance.) It can cause gait disturbances, but toe walking is the most common. It could cause pigeon toe, maybe. If you are worried about it, see a neurologist with experience in autism. Pediatricians are not that well educated in ASDS, for the most part. They miss the more subtle stuff.

+ 1. I'm the one whose pediatrician missed the Aspergers when it was staring us right in the face. The moment we finally got the correct diagnosis, I bought every book there was at the time. IT's all there in the literature - the GERD issues, the problems with sound, the social issues, the toe-walking, the stomach problems, even the extreme redness DC had near the rectum when in diapers. Poor kid even had megacolon and fecalomas and the pediatrician dismissed it notwithstanding the fact I kept raising the issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Toe walking has been associated with autism, but I've never heard that pigeon toes are associated with autism. Lots of people without ASDs are pigeon toed.

Definitely true. Unfortunately, our pediatrician didn't catch that. I kept commenting about DC being a toe-walker. There are other gait issues that are often associated with Aspergers. Also digestive issues. I mention that only because our pediatrician didn't catch that either.

ASDs are neurological and they have a component that involves disruption of the vestibular system. (Vestibule is in the ear and it helps control balance.) It can cause gait disturbances, but toe walking is the most common. It could cause pigeon toe, maybe. If you are worried about it, see a neurologist with experience in autism. Pediatricians are not that well educated in ASDS, for the most part. They miss the more subtle stuff.

A neurologist wouldn't have expertise in autism. See a psychologist or developmental pediatrician.

But both are expensive -- I wouldn't bother if your only concern is pigeon-toed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Toe walking has been associated with autism, but I've never heard that pigeon toes are associated with autism. Lots of people without ASDs are pigeon toed.

Definitely true. Unfortunately, our pediatrician didn't catch that. I kept commenting about DC being a toe-walker. There are other gait issues that are often associated with Aspergers. Also digestive issues. I mention that only because our pediatrician didn't catch that either.

Really? I brought this up with our pediatrician because I had concerns about my DC and toe walking. He basically laughed at me and made me feel like an idiot. I dismissed it but now I am worried.

First of all, many toddlers toe-walk before they become comfortable walking "normally". Mine did. She is now three and walks totally normal and has no developmental concerns. However, my pediatrician definitely said it was something to watch when it was happening. It is absolutely something a pediatrician should be aware of. I advise you to seek out a new ped. I don't know your child's age, so this may be no big deal, or it may be worth a visit about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister is pidgeon toed and is not autistic. Her daughter is pidgeon ties and graduated magna from a major university.

Aspies tend to be very smart. Graduating at the top of one's class means nothing.

NOT saying, however, your niece has autism