Possible Gross Motor Delay in 9.5mo...what comes next?

[Anonymous]

I hope this is the right forum to post this.

My DS is 9.5mos, not crawling or even pulling himself to sitting on his own. He started sitting unassisted if we put him down maybe 1-1.5 months ago. I had to take both kids to the ped for sickness/possible ear infection yesterday, and I mentioned these concerns (it wasn't his normal ped). She did a quick examination, and she told me to follow up next week with our regular ped when he's back in town. From what I understand, the next step is a more thorough examination to determine what type of intervention...not whether he needs intervention.

As far as I can tell from online searching and talking to a friend whose son was in a similar situation, the best case scenario is weekly PT for several months/years. And there are obviously still so many unknowns. The latter will hopefully become clearer with more assessments, but I'm already feeling a lot of self-doubt around all of this. I had a difficult and at times scary delivery, and so part of me is also wondering if anything that happened then impacted him. Beyond that, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. Right now, I feel like with two kids, a FT job, a volunteer commitment that I'm really devoted to, and a DH whose travel has recently stepped up a lot, I'm already feel overwhelmed and pretty stretched. And then I feel guilty that this is even a thought in my head.

Anyway, I guess I'm looking for a little support and also advice from people who've experienced something similar. Unfortunately, we're not in Arlington anymore, and there is nothing like the IEP program here. My friend lives near where I do, but she used the Arlington program for her son and says it's unfortunate we don't have something similar.

[Anonymous]

I think you're getting way ahead of yourself. My kid didn't sit at 9 months and yes that was scary. Your son is sitting. I don't think it's the pt issues that are the big deal as most kids overcome them quickly. It's the flagging of other potential issues. For my kid it was all kinds of delays and ADHD. But that's not your case yet and you have jondida if it will be. Don't borrow trouble here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope this is the right forum to post this.

My DS is 9.5mos, not crawling or even pulling himself to sitting on his own. He started sitting unassisted if we put him down maybe 1-1.5 months ago. I had to take both kids to the ped for sickness/possible ear infection yesterday, and I mentioned these concerns (it wasn't his normal ped). She did a quick examination, and she told me to follow up next week with our regular ped when he's back in town. From what I understand, the next step is a more thorough examination to determine what type of intervention...not whether he needs intervention.

As far as I can tell from online searching and talking to a friend whose son was in a similar situation, the best case scenario is weekly PT for several months/years. And there are obviously still so many unknowns. The latter will hopefully become clearer with more assessments, but I'm already feeling a lot of self-doubt around all of this. I had a difficult and at times scary delivery, and so part of me is also wondering if anything that happened then impacted him. Beyond that, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. Right now, I feel like with two kids, a FT job, a volunteer commitment that I'm really devoted to, and a DH whose travel has recently stepped up a lot, I'm already feel overwhelmed and pretty stretched. And then I feel guilty that this is even a thought in my head.

Anyway, I guess I'm looking for a little support and also advice from people who've experienced something similar. Unfortunately, we're not in Arlington anymore, and there is nothing like the IEP program here. My friend lives near where I do, but she used the Arlington program for her son and says it's unfortunate we don't have something similar.

Where do you live? Every jurisdiction in the US has some program like the Arlington one. We can help you find it.

[Anonymous]

My son was your son at that age. With weekly PT, he is: sitting on his own, moving from lying down to sitting and back again, crawling, cruising, pulling himself up to standing, sitting down in a controlled fashion, pushing himself up to stand from sitting in a still or something where he slightly elevated, using an adult to pull himself to standing (so climbing). Get weekly PT! No other delays for us

[Anonymous]

You're catastrophizing. Get him evaluated and get his PT going, then just take life as it comes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was your son at that age. With weekly PT, he is: sitting on his own, moving from lying down to sitting and back again, crawling, cruising, pulling himself up to standing, sitting down in a controlled fashion, pushing himself up to stand from sitting in a still or something where he slightly elevated, using an adult to pull himself to standing (so climbing). Get weekly PT! No other delays for us

oh and he's 16 months. PT says a few more weeks and he'll be walking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope this is the right forum to post this.

My DS is 9.5mos, not crawling or even pulling himself to sitting on his own. He started sitting unassisted if we put him down maybe 1-1.5 months ago. I had to take both kids to the ped for sickness/possible ear infection yesterday, and I mentioned these concerns (it wasn't his normal ped). She did a quick examination, and she told me to follow up next week with our regular ped when he's back in town. From what I understand, the next step is a more thorough examination to determine what type of intervention...not whether he needs intervention.

As far as I can tell from online searching and talking to a friend whose son was in a similar situation, the best case scenario is weekly PT for several months/years. And there are obviously still so many unknowns. The latter will hopefully become clearer with more assessments, but I'm already feeling a lot of self-doubt around all of this. I had a difficult and at times scary delivery, and so part of me is also wondering if anything that happened then impacted him. Beyond that, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. Right now, I feel like with two kids, a FT job, a volunteer commitment that I'm really devoted to, and a DH whose travel has recently stepped up a lot, I'm already feel overwhelmed and pretty stretched. And then I feel guilty that this is even a thought in my head.

Anyway, I guess I'm looking for a little support and also advice from people who've experienced something similar. Unfortunately, we're not in Arlington anymore, and there is nothing like the IEP program here. My friend lives near where I do, but she used the Arlington program for her son and says it's unfortunate we don't have something similar.

Agree that you shouldn't get ahead of yourselves. If your needs some therapies, then you and your DH will readjust your priorities and schedules and figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Where do you live? Every jurisdiction in the US has some program like the Arlington one. We can help you find it.

I'm in California Bay Area now. My friend says she looked into programs here, because her son was on the cusp of still needing PT when they moved here. Apparently the ones here are reserved for low-income families (which I understand). But she said she didn't locate a private one that comes to your home. I will obviously learn more about options from his doctor, but it's Kaiser so I'm doubtful there are in-home type programs available through them. I'd definitely be open to exploring OOP options, if need be.

If anyone has experience with Kaiser for these kinds of issues, that would be appreciated as well. I feel very certain that he's now clearly outside of the late end of typical development...and the pediatrician yesterday confirmed that. She said she wouldn't be worried if he were interested in bearing weight on his legs or able to get onto all fours, but he can't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Where do you live? Every jurisdiction in the US has some program like the Arlington one. We can help you find it.

I'm in California Bay Area now. My friend says she looked into programs here, because her son was on the cusp of still needing PT when they moved here. Apparently the ones here are reserved for low-income families (which I understand). But she said she didn't locate a private one that comes to your home. I will obviously learn more about options from his doctor, but it's Kaiser so I'm doubtful there are in-home type programs available through them. I'd definitely be open to exploring OOP options, if need be.

If anyone has experience with Kaiser for these kinds of issues, that would be appreciated as well. I feel very certain that he's now clearly outside of the late end of typical development...and the pediatrician yesterday confirmed that. She said she wouldn't be worried if he were interested in bearing weight on his legs or able to get onto all fours, but he can't.

Every state/county has an early intervention program, although they might charge copays and the amount of delay needed to qualify for services may vary. Here is the information for Santa Clara County: http://www.sccoe.org/depts/students/special-education/Pages/earlystart.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Where do you live? Every jurisdiction in the US has some program like the Arlington one. We can help you find it.

I'm in California Bay Area now. My friend says she looked into programs here, because her son was on the cusp of still needing PT when they moved here. Apparently the ones here are reserved for low-income families (which I understand). But she said she didn't locate a private one that comes to your home. I will obviously learn more about options from his doctor, but it's Kaiser so I'm doubtful there are in-home type programs available through them. I'd definitely be open to exploring OOP options, if need be.

If anyone has experience with Kaiser for these kinds of issues, that would be appreciated as well. I feel very certain that he's now clearly outside of the late end of typical development...and the pediatrician yesterday confirmed that. She said she wouldn't be worried if he were interested in bearing weight on his legs or able to get onto all fours, but he can't.

I would ask the doc about early intervention and not rely on what a friend thinks she understands about how it works. The doc should be able to get you a referral at minimum for n evaluation. Good luck (I'm the PP with the 16 month old--the doc referred us to strong start here in DC).

[Anonymous]

Here is Alameda and Contra Costa: http://www.alamedakids.org/resource-directory/view-program.php?id=694

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Where do you live? Every jurisdiction in the US has some program like the Arlington one. We can help you find it.

I'm in California Bay Area now. My friend says she looked into programs here, because her son was on the cusp of still needing PT when they moved here. Apparently the ones here are reserved for low-income families (which I understand). But she said she didn't locate a private one that comes to your home. I will obviously learn more about options from his doctor, but it's Kaiser so I'm doubtful there are in-home type programs available through them. I'd definitely be open to exploring OOP options, if need be.

If anyone has experience with Kaiser for these kinds of issues, that would be appreciated as well. I feel very certain that he's now clearly outside of the late end of typical development...and the pediatrician yesterday confirmed that. She said she wouldn't be worried if he were interested in bearing weight on his legs or able to get onto all fours, but he can't.

I would ask the doc about early intervention and not rely on what a friend thinks she understands about how it works. The doc should be able to get you a referral at minimum for n evaluation. Good luck (I'm the PP with the 16 month old--the doc referred us to strong start here in DC).

+1. Kaiser will cover PT for an infant having motor issues. You may need to take him to the therapists' office though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're catastrophizing. Get him evaluated and get his PT going, then just take life as it comes.

This.

OP, FYI, getting into a sitting position is done on their own. When you say he was sitting unassisted a month or so ago, I'm assuming you put him in the sitting position and he didn't topple over. He probably needs more tummy time to strengthen the core.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're catastrophizing. Get him evaluated and get his PT going, then just take life as it comes.

This.

OP, FYI, getting into a sitting position is done on their own. When you say he was sitting unassisted a month or so ago, I'm assuming you put him in the sitting position and he didn't topple over. He probably needs more tummy time to strengthen the core.

I'm the PP with the 16 month old. Yes, he needed more tummy time but he hates/hated it and he'd roll over as soon as he could and start howling when you rolled him back...this is why PT was so helpful. Sometimes these things don't fix themselves on their own or just by doing more tummy time. There's no harm in bringing the professionals.

[Anonymous]

Hi, OP. I work in EI. I'm not a PT, but I do work with a lot and have heard this spiel more times than I can count.

Crawling is by far the most variable milestone. Some children never crawl, and that's ok. The typical ages for crawling are 7-10 months, but far more important than the act of crawling are the following two things:

1. Trunk rotation. When sitting, is your child able to turn in both directions to get a toy? Are they able to transition in and out of a sit or at least trying to? (Turning to get down on their tummy, for example)

2. Independent mobility with intent. Is your child able to get from point A to point B by: scooting, rolling, inchworming, pivoting, scooting backwards, etc?

If they are, your child is probably in good shape and should be watched for continued progress. If they aren't doing those things, I would contact EI.

And, as always, we at EI are always happy to come out and look at a child to offer strategies and peace of mind, even if the child does not actually qualify for services. I hope this helps!