What could this be? PLEASE READ

[suzi-q]

A friend of mine has a son who is 3 years old in June.  He is currently receiving speech therapy because his began talking late and is incoherent.  She took him to a psychiatrist to get an evaluation so he can recieve speech services through the school system.  The doctor noticed (as well as she) that when he walks, his feet turn out.  This causes him to fall alot.  He also has very large feet for a 3 year old boy (size 11).  The orthopedic doctor said it was just flat feet and to wait.  However, the psychiatrist sees it as being something neurological.  He also doesn't grasp crayons the right way yet and uses both his left and right hand.  My friend is very scared right now (understandably)...does anyone have any idea what this can be?  Is it a form of muscular dystrophy????  Of course she is scheduling an appointment with a neurologist, but until then, is there anything that comes to anyone's mind????

Thank you!

[suzi-q]

Thank you both for your quick responses.  You are both so helpful.  I don't know if I will tell my friend any of this just yet, about either condition.  But I will follow closely with what the doctors say to her and make sure they don't leave a stone unturned...for example..an MRI and extended blood work etc.....

if you have any other suggestions please let me know.  It really means a lot to me.

(Thank you for the prayer Amy!  My daughter is almost three also and that is why I can share her pain so deeply.)

[ShakinThingzUp]

I don't know anything....... but felt compelled to search for info as I have a 2 year old and know how scary something like this can feel.......  I found the info below concerning Muscular Dystrophy... it has a lot more detailed things to look for in 1-3 year olds who may have musc. dystrophy....  I don't know what else they may be looking for... wish I could help more.  Said a prayer for your friend and her son.

Re: Muscular Dystrophy
Most affected boys show the first signs of mobility problems between the ages of 1 and 3 years. The symptoms may vary and include delayed walking, abnormal waddling gait, frequent falls, difficulty with stairs or running, reluctance to walk, toe walking, an inability to hop, skip or jump, cramp in the legs (usually calves) and difficulty getting up from the floor, which is achieved using Gower’s manoeuvre. The boy turns on to all fours, and rises by pressing on his thighs and ‘walking’ his hands up his legs until he is able to extend his hips and back. There is often pseudo hypertrophy of the calf muscles and a waddling gait with a lordotic posture, which becomes more obvious as the condition progresses. Some boys may present with speech and language difficulties or global development delay. There may be a varying degree of intellectual impairment, which may be reflected in poor reading ability, comprehension and memory skills.


God Bless!
Amy

[JohnsVoice]

Insist on an MRI. My son had an arachnoid cyst removed at age 3. He had similar
symptoms.