Daughter walks on her tip toes

[NickieD]

Hi. I have an 11yr old daughter, she has always walked on her tip toes, but I am starting to worry about it. Whenever she is barefoot, or even in flip-flops, she is unable to walk flatfoot, and I am constantly telling her to walk properly, she even stands on her tip toes when doing something, should I be worried? Should I get her tested for anything?

Thanks for your time.

Nickie

[RockRose]

Her condition is called toe walking.  You might have already known that.  

It's common among toddlers,  and less common among older children.  Are you saying when she's in well-constructed tennis shoes,  she walks normally?

In children who always walk on their toes,  over the age of 4,  it's a symptom of autism.  

In her case,  if she's not barefoot - she walks normally?

It's a surprise that she's reached the age of 11 and her pediatrician hasn't tested her for this and recommended exercises or tendon surgery.

Best wishes.

[wannabenana]

It can also be a form of muscular dystrophy, but with that said, I have a 9 year old niece who has been tested for this and all tests were negative. It's just what she prefers and feels comfortable with. Toe walking does not necessarily have to have an underlying medical condition.

[NickieD]

Hi. Thanks so much for your comments. I am taking an appointement with her doctor this week. I had never mentioned this to him before, but I think I should now.

She is not always on her tip toes when in shoes, but it does happen that she does not place her feet completely flat, mostly the left foot when she is in shoes.

She has been diagnosed with slight ADD, and she does have a bit of a learning disability, but seems to be getting better as she grows up.

You spoke of Autism, would'nt that be something she would have already been diagnosed with? Walking on tip-toes can not be the only symptom, and apart from her ADD, she is very healthy... she is 11 years old, and I would have thought that if she would have autism that she would have been diagnosed by now due to other symptoms.

Well thanks again, and please if anyone has anything else to add, please do.

Thanks again.

[Linner]

My brother in law is 8 and does the same thing. His problem is overdeveloped calf muscles and tight achilles tendons, to make him aware of what he is doing, every time he walks on his toes, he has to sit for a couple of minutes so that he realizes he is doing it and can correct it.

[shells2820]

Autism may not have already been diagnosed as you are making an assumption that you are working with professionals that know everything. We know that doctors and even specialists are half knowledge and half hit and miss,,with a lot of misses. I would get her tested for autism NickieD. Is she socially unaware? Notice how she interacts with her peers, does she misunderstand social occasion? Also walking on tip toes can be a sign of a genetic disorder "fragile x" (not uncommon) and has a broad range that can be barely noticable (the person may seem a little different if you have knowledge of their disorder) up to a full blown mental disorder and this can be passed down. I suggest she be tested for fragile x also.
kind regards

[Akbari]

hi, I'm an occupational therapist. according to your report the problem can be due to the diagnosis that you pointed "ADD". just you should do something and check the range of motion in the ankles. is that full? if as you said it is a common situation in your girl, it is possible that during this period you find a shortness in achill tendon. it will be improved by exercise and massage. and the second point wich should be noted in these cases is that this kind of walking is sometimes due to a kind of sensory problem. she may does not have a good awerness of body and enough coordination of movement. it makes her walking on her toes. usually these cases have concentration problems. these all should be checked by an occupational therapist who works in the field of children.
wishes!

[daniellepappargeris]

my daughter is three years old she still cannot speak clearly she walks on her tiptoes. She lines up everything when she is playing with her toys. She gets very upset over loud noises. Does she have autistic traits? Does she have autism?

[MichaelQuinn]

I am 17 and I walk on my tiptoes....