Help for falling without hurting himself (motor planning, dyspraxia??)

[Anonymous]

DS who was 'diagnosed' with 'motor planning' did a fair amount of OT - and really benefited from it in coordination and activities. But just recently realized he doesn't react instinctively to 'break' or 'brace himself' when he falls (like with his hands or movement adjustments).

For instance, he tripped recently, didn't put his hands out or anything and fell pretty painfully flat on his face. (It is kind of 'cute/funny' except he can actually get hurt!)

I would assume (like most of OT seemed to be) the functional way to deal with it would be basically breaking the 'skill' down and practicing with him -- but wanted to check for any advice or suggestions - or if anyone else has ever experienced this as a 'thing.'

[Anonymous]

How old is he? I think my son did the same. But it decreased significantly year over year between ages 3 and 8, I think.

I'm not sure there's a way to teach it, as it's instinctive muscle memory. Someone may correct me though.

[Anonymous]

He has to practice falling to develop the skill. Maybe 1-2 targetted sessions with an OT or even a patience PE instructor could help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He has to practice falling to develop the skill. Maybe 1-2 targetted sessions with an OT or even a patience PE instructor could help.

ha, ha, ha.

OP, it's basically just time and OT. A kid with motor planning issues will be no better and learning how to fall than how to walk/run without falling down, bumping into something.

[Anonymous]

You need PT for this, not OT. And there may be neurological issues. One of the most basic protective reflexes is to put the hands down when the body is in a full out fall. A way my child was diagnosed with neurological issues was her failure as an infant to do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need PT for this, not OT. And there may be neurological issues. One of the most basic protective reflexes is to put the hands down when the body is in a full out fall. A way my child was diagnosed with neurological issues was her failure as an infant to do this.

My kid has DCD. We were getting PT through EI. It made little difference. We started supplementing with private OT. Kid would fall on his face all the time until about age 5. Still clumsy but not like it was when young.

If a kid has gross motor and planning issues more than likely they will need help with fine motor too. So OT/PT will be useful. Try to do an extracurricular that your kid likes--swimming, martial arts, gymnastics--anything that strengthens the core. Playing on the playground is great too and free.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the replies. He's 6.5. We did around 1 1/2 years of OT when he was diagnosed with motor planning - or something like it (the medical diagnosis code used was for dyspraxia - since it's not such a precise diagnosis necessarily & the diagnosis mattered less than the therapies for how to help him). And did some PT. He's now doing very well in most activities & even has pretty neat handwriting. But this falling this has emerged as something that either got overlooked or wasn't a big deal til now.

For those who mentioned neurological issues - is there some other type of screening - like going to a real neurologist (vs. neuro psych) or type of potential diagnosis that we should be thinking of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies. He's 6.5. We did around 1 1/2 years of OT when he was diagnosed with motor planning - or something like it (the medical diagnosis code used was for dyspraxia - since it's not such a precise diagnosis necessarily & the diagnosis mattered less than the therapies for how to help him). And did some PT. He's now doing very well in most activities & even has pretty neat handwriting. But this falling this has emerged as something that either got overlooked or wasn't a big deal til now.

For those who mentioned neurological issues - is there some other type of screening - like going to a real neurologist (vs. neuro psych) or type of potential diagnosis that we should be thinking of.

Get his eyes checked if he's almost 7.

Who did the diagnosis? A developmental pediatrician? Dyspraxia is neurological. It's also called Developmental Coordination Disorder. It may not be this if he's doing well overall. I would have a neuropsychological evaluation at this point.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Eyes are good (checked recently). Diagnosis was from a neuropsychologist.

(and they seem to then recommend OT or PT? But is there something else or a real neurologist (like a brain scan type of thing) if there might be something else going on.)

He's a 'stand out' in PE in school now and doing well on kid sports teams

[Anonymous]

I agree too. Definitely get a developmental opthomalogist to do a full assessment. Our child had years of good OT and in first grade was still falling, bumping, etc. We have a coordination disorder diagnosis. Got the developmental opthomologist eval and it was found that he has MAJOR vision (not eyesight) issues. With glasses and vision therapy all of the falling and bumping has 100% remitted. Wish we had known this 5 yrs ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree too. Definitely get a developmental opthomalogist to do a full assessment. Our child had years of good OT and in first grade was still falling, bumping, etc. We have a coordination disorder diagnosis. Got the developmental opthomologist eval and it was found that he has MAJOR vision (not eyesight) issues. With glasses and vision therapy all of the falling and bumping has 100% remitted. Wish we had known this 5 yrs ago.

OP here - thx, we've done this - he had mild convergence but doesn't have any indication of it any more.

[Anonymous]

Is he doing purposely? I've known kids with ADHD for example who pretty much pratfall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies. He's 6.5. We did around 1 1/2 years of OT when he was diagnosed with motor planning - or something like it (the medical diagnosis code used was for dyspraxia - since it's not such a precise diagnosis necessarily & the diagnosis mattered less than the therapies for how to help him). And did some PT. He's now doing very well in most activities & even has pretty neat handwriting. But this falling this has emerged as something that either got overlooked or wasn't a big deal til now.

For those who mentioned neurological issues - is there some other type of screening - like going to a real neurologist (vs. neuro psych) or type of potential diagnosis that we should be thinking of.

Get his eyes checked if he's almost 7.

Who did the diagnosis? A developmental pediatrician? Dyspraxia is neurological. It's also called Developmental Coordination Disorder. It may not be this if he's doing well overall. I would have a neuropsychological evaluation at this point.

Neuropsychological?

I would have a flat our neurological evaluation. Try the Movement Disorders Clinic at Kennedy Krieger.

[Anonymous]

You can be taught to fall correctly. When I played a certain sport, they spent a long time teaching us to fall safely (from standing/running) and we practiced regularly. It involves bending your knees and shifting your mass to the side so you don't face/hand plant.

[Anonymous]

OT here - how is his balance when he reaches over for things? Can he stand on one foot with his eyes closed? Does he complain about falling (awareness)? I have found often times kids with motor planning issues rely heavily on vision since they have underlying body awareness difficulties. This reliance on vision in turn can cause the under developement of vestibular system which lets your head know where it is in space. This could be caused from a neulogic condition as everyone is saying and I would look for other neurologic symptoms (tics, intellectual difficulties, etc) Practice the skill since it is a safety concern but I agree with everyone that you should see a neurologist and OT.
Colleen Doyle
Together in movement