My DC has hypotonia (couldn't roll over or sit until very late, didn't walk until after 18 months). Everyone including the pediatrician for the longest time acted likely it was no big deal, so we didn't even recognize that we should address it until about age 5. Before that, we had done gymnastics and swimming with minimal improvement.

The two things that helped the most were:

This online book I found, with activities you can do at home.

http://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com

We turned these activities into a game with both kids, and would try to do some every night (or every other night). The kids had fun (and it is better than watching TV) and my DC core strength really started to improve.

About 6 months later, we started TKD. That has done wonders for his core muscles, as well as his confidence, and concentration.

If you are really concerned about a delay you should see a developmental pediatrician.

My 5 year old has low tone and the OT recommended swimming. Also team sports. But swimming was the top recommendation.

Swimming is great for everyone:
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/fitness-basics-swimming-is-for-everyone

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tae kwon do has been very helpful in building strength for my child with hypotonia. It also helps with focus and discipline, which is a plus in my book.

Can I ask how was his/her focus before? And what age? I am just not sure a young 4yr old with issues sitting still, would benefit but I would love to hear otherwise.

DC started TKD later, at age 6, so YMMV. However, I have watched the class for 4 YOs and I am impressed with the way the instructors handle young children. In fact, our friends' DD started at 4. There is a lot of emphasis on building strength and stamina (think push-ups, etc.) so there's a nice mix of exercise along with the actual TKD. You could observe a class or have your DD try one for free. We go to Flying Kick in Bethesda.

Anonymous wrote:Tae kwon do has been very helpful in building strength for my child with hypotonia. It also helps with focus and discipline, which is a plus in my book.

Can I ask how was his/her focus before? And what age? I am just not sure a young 4yr old with issues sitting still, would benefit but I would love to hear otherwise.

Tae kwon do has been very helpful in building strength for my child with hypotonia. It also helps with focus and discipline, which is a plus in my book.

Anonymous wrote:As a lifelong swimmer, and a competitive one in HS and college, I completely disagree that swimming is a "great" activity for core strength. It's better that playing video games or slow walking, yes.

Your core is the least engaged group of muscles during even vigorous swimming. Not to mention that swimming is not a weight-bearing activity, so the core is not called upon to do any heavy lifting (the water does it for you).

I am on this thread because my son has mild hypotonia. Much more targeted activities would be yoga, gymnastics, certain kinds of very active dance (or even "cheer" type programs), and karate and tae kwon do.

I appreciate your response. I signed her up mainly because she honestly needs to learn how to swim but also for upper body movement/coordination. I see your point about the core. Hopefully gymnastics and home yoga exercises (doing it with her) will help with that instead. I thought about karate but I think she is a little young/immature for that. It is hard to keep her in circle time for 30min let alone doing karate.

As a lifelong swimmer, and a competitive one in HS and college, I completely disagree that swimming is a "great" activity for core strength. It's better that playing video games or slow walking, yes.

Your core is the least engaged group of muscles during even vigorous swimming. Not to mention that swimming is not a weight-bearing activity, so the core is not called upon to do any heavy lifting (the water does it for you).

I am on this thread because my son has mild hypotonia. Much more targeted activities would be yoga, gymnastics, certain kinds of very active dance (or even "cheer" type programs), and karate and tae kwon do.

Anonymous wrote:Why was she taken for an OT evaluation if there were no delays?

OP here. She wasn't taken for an evaluation. An OT came to the school to observe some kids to make sure they were not in need of extra work before Kindergarten. My daughter was noted as having trouble sitting still/comfortable in circle time. Tends to say her back hurts, shifts, sometimes wants to lay on the ground. They initially thought her fine motor skills might be lagging too but they determined it was from upper body strength. She switches hands a lot or stops/gives up after awhile. But when on task, her fine motor skills are very good. She just needs endurance and the muscle conditioning will help.

I signed her up for swimming classes and she just started gymnastics 3 weeks ago. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. If there are anymore I will keep checking. Besides OT, is there someone else I should look into?

Don't worry; there is a great variety of normal for muscle tone and that's just the OT's opinion not a diagnosis. If she's doing okay in general, she's probably just low normal. I would get her to a gymnastics place that has a team and get her on that track. Or swimming, not dinky lessons but the serious teams like Curl Burke (sp?). Those are the best things for core strengthening. You could do stuff at home (the OT should have given you some ideas: wheelbarrow walking, etc.) but those two options above would be ideal b/c she'd be with other kids and it would be more fun and more intense.

Why was she taken for an OT evaluation if there were no delays?

swimming is great for core strength as is yoga, gymnastics, karate, or dance things that work gross motor is good for the core. she may have issues with fine motor like handwriting if she has a weak core.

putting things in her mouth is unrelated and more likely a sensory seeking behavior. there are chewy necklaces you can buy to give her something to chew on

An OT eval just told us my 4yr old could have mild upper and core hypotonia. She has never had a delay in milestones as a baby and was walking/talking by 1yrs old. She swings, jumps, plays all over the playground. She throws balls pretty well. The only thing I have noticed is she is a slumper and has oral fixation issues. She never sits upright in chairs, has difficulty with circle time and is always moving, almost appearing uncomfortable sitting still UNLESS she is working. Then she can sit at a kids chair and do well. She also tends to eat her hair or suck on her hand occasionally. But everything I look up online, even mild, shows much more drastic low muscle tone issues. Who do I go to get a proper evaluation and what type of home tests or exercises do you recommend to see/help her? I can not seem to find things for upper body/core as much as infant and lower body. Thanks in advance.