Taking DD for a developmental assessment

[egoldber]

Well, at Sarah's 18 month appointment, the ped said if she still wasn't walking by 18 1/2 months they wanted her to be assessed by a developmental specialist. So we have an appointment on Saturday.

In some ways, I wonder if she really needs it. But on the other hand, I've been thinking and saying "she's so close to walking" for a long time now. And I now have enough doubts and worries that I NEED the assessment just to assuage my own internal fears.

Wish us luck!

[atlbaby]

Hi Beth,

The first thing I thought was, "oh my gosh, Sarah is 18 months already?" It brings home how old Arielle is (duh, of course I *know* but still!) and I feel her first birthday party was just last week!

Anyhow, I'm glad your ped is on top of things and concerned, even if yourself have doubts whether she really needs the assessment. And as any mother would have doubts and worries, it will be good for you to have an expert opinion even if they say she will be walking in no time!

Good luck--let us know how things go!! :)

-Rachel
Mom to Arielle Jill, 10/30/01
#2:) EDD 10/24/03

[COElizabeth]

Oh, good luck! I'll be thinking of you and Sarah. You may need to do nothing, which would be reassuring. Even if there are some glitches, they may be overcome with a few exercises or a little physical therapy. It's not the same, but I know my nephew had to go to a speech therapist because he still wasn't even really saying Mama (or anything else) at 2 years old, and after a few months of speech therapy he was fine, and now he talks up a storm. I hope you have a similar outcome if it turns out that she does need any help.

Elizabeth
Mom to James
9-20-02

[jojo2324]

Beth, I'll be thinking of you and Sarah! I can understand your predicament...To remain unaware that there might be a problem, or get substantiated reassurance that there isn't. I don't think that there's anything wrong with your little one...I have always heard that children who were developmentally behind were always way ahead of the game mentally. Keep us posted!

[mamahill]

I'll be thinking of both of you come Saturday and will look forward to hearing how things are going. My dad, and my cousin's baby, didn't start walking until 16 months (and not comfortably for a couple months after that). My dad is one of the smartest men I know (and he can run circles around me!), and I completely agree with Joanne on the motor skills vs. mental (at least, that's what I'm banking on with Ainsleigh;) ). Some kids just take longer. One more piece of evidence that all children are different and they will do what they want on their watch. Best wishes!

[momathome]

Be grateful your pediatrician is so on top of things! When Kasey (recently turned 2!) was a month old, I told my ped I thought her breathing sounded funny - it sounded like she was wheezing. He told me all babies make funny noises and she was fine. Her "funny noises" continued for months and when she was 15 months old, I insisted she be seen by specialist - who also dismissed her as being too young to be diagnosed with asthma or allergies, which is really what I thought she had. Cut to this past fall, 21 months-old, and sick with a terrible cough for 6 weeks - as in coughing so hard that she was throwing up several times a week! Finally, after I insisted on more tests, they did a chest x-ray and discovered she did indeed have asthma and after allergy testing, discovered she was allergic to dust mites! We now have a different pediatrician as well as a different allergy/asthma doctor and she is finally starting to do better! Hopefully, if nothing else, your appointment will bring you peace of mind that Sarah is developing normally and perhaps just "enjoys" the princess treatment of being carried everywhere - can you blame her?!?!
Good luck! We'll be thinking of you!
-Lauren

[lmintzer]

Hi Beth. I'm sorry that you guys have to go through this. But, as other posters have said, the appointment might serve to reassure you that nothing major is wrong. If they do feel she is a little delayed in learning to walk, it's possible that just a small amount of intervention will help her catch up. It's definitely true that all kids have their areas of strenght and weakness and that they tend to focus on one (major) developmental area at a time. Jack (22 months) is ahead of many of his (male) "friends" in language development. But all of them climb more than he does and are better balanced. He also (if tested) would come out a fair bit behind in self-feeding skills. Eating (from nursing on forward) has always been challenging for him.

So at any rate, I hope the appointment goes well and is not stressful for any of you. People who do these kinds of evaluations are often quite good with toddlers and make them really fun (Sarah might love the new toys and the attention, depending on her temperament).

Good luck, and I'll be thinking of you this weekend.

Lisa
& Jack, 4/20/01

[trumansmom]

Good luck! It must be so frustrating to just wonder. Although I know we are all sure she's fine (from your descriptions, she sounds like a pretty amazing kid), it will doubtless be a relief to hear a definitive answer from a specialist.

We'll be thinking about you!

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/29/01

[nigele]

Good luck - I'll be thinking of you. Give Sarah a big hug from Thomas!

[parkersmama]

Beth,
It sounds like you're making the right decision in taking her. It will definitely give you some peace of mind just to be proactive about it. I think some children just are not very motivated to walk! Also, in having two children, I've seen first hand how very different kids can be. They seem to do so many things different from each other. My younger son is much more able to do all things involving motor skills at earlier ages than his brother but Parker is more advanced in his language and communication skills. I'll be thinking of you and hoping that everything turns out okay. Keep us posted on the outcome!

Denise
mom to:
Parker, 9/1/1997
Wesley, 3/9/2000
and #3 (a girl!) due 4/29/2003

[LisaS]

Just yesterday, I discussed developmental timelines with my DDs ped (she was a late crawler, 10.5 mo.s - and not standing unsupported or cruising at 13.5 mos). He said that while the average age range for walking is 12-18 months, PLENTY of NORMAL babies (his patients) don't walk till just before their 2nd birthday, and often go on to run circles around their siblings who may have walked earlier. He also said that its not uncommon for physical development to halt at certain points in the 2nd year while verbal/emotional development speeds ahead and more common in girls than boys...so if she's talking up a storm while she's sitting having a tea party with her dolls, that's just as impt developmentally (and more relaxing for you) than running through the playground, which will happen soon enough :-) Good luck!

[cara1]

Yes, as above, but definitely a good idea to have her assessed. Wishing you the best, Beth. Please keep us posted.

[twins r fun]

Good luck. I bet she'll start walking between now and Saturday, though! Or maybe she'll wait until Sunday morning. LOL! We did one of our two speech assesments last week and Jacob said his first word (ball) a few hours after the assessment! Can you believe that?

Nicole

[mama2be]

Beth,

I'm certain she is going to do great...please know I'm thinking about you gals...Keep us posted!!!!

[Rachels]

I'll be thinking of you both! If this girl can learn to pour tea for you and all her dollies, my guess is she'll be just fine!

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02

[mary b]

Beth, Hi, I just wanted to say what everyone else has said. I am sure she is fine but I know if the tables were turned I would be doing the same! I didn't "really" talk until I was 4, and as DH likes to joke, I have been making up for it ever since. I know tht everyone does things differently and at a different age.. She is probably just waiting for Spring to be able to go outside and walk and run.

Please take care and know that all the support you have given this board is available to you as well!!!

Mary

[Annette_C]

Beth,
I echo everything said above. All babies are different and reach different stages/goals at different times but, in the long run, they all catch up to one another.
From your posts, it's obvious Sarah is a very smart little girl (besides being so adorable!) and, if it takes her a little longer to start walking, so be it! As a mother, though, I can understand being worried and assuming the worst so, hopefully, on Saturday you'll be able to put your mind at ease.
I'll be thinking of you.
Good luck and hugs to you and Sarah.
Annette
SAHM to Sabrina 6/24/02

[egoldber]

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone! It really means a lot to me.

It's funny, if I am really close to her, she will sometimes take a couple halting steps (mostly falling) towards me. She's been doing this for a few weeks and hasn't seemed to make any improvement. I WISH she would walk between now and Saturday!

[egoldber]

Annette, I actually did use a walker with Sarah when she was much younger (maybe like 4-7 months??). She adored it, but she is MUCH too large for such a thing now. I also really limited how long a time she spent in it, because I have read that babies who use walkers are using different muscles than those used for "real" walking. And I agree that when properly supervised with appropriate safety precautions (gates on stairs, etc.) that a walker is a great toy for young babies. She is cruising on furniture, etc. so she can do the appropriate motions, she's just not walking!

When I spoke briefly with the developmental specialist over the phone, she said it could be a number of things from a balance issue, to a confidence issue, to a motor memory issue, to her just taking her own sweet time to walk and driving her mommy NUTS in the process. :)

Thanks!

[Kate888]

Sorry, coming into this a little late...Just wanted to echo every one else has said. I'm sure Sarah has her own plan about when to has her "debut" of walking. As far as the assessment goes, it usually is fun for the child (used to work at a Speech Clinic and seen developmental assessments), so don't get too stressed about it. I'm sure she will do fine.

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you both :) Please keep us posted.

Kate
Mom to Maya 2-17-02

[suzska]

Beth,

I hope everything goes well for you and Sarah. I'm sure it will. Evan never really crawled, although he did cruise a lot before he turned one. And then 6 days later (I remember because it was St. Patrick's day), he just took off walking! And he hasn't stopped since. Since we can't get out much in the cold, we have one of those small trampolines (for jogging--DH never used it and it sat in the basement for years) sitting in the middle of our livingroom. Yes, that's right. No coffee table, but a trampoline. Anyway, Evan bounces up a storm on that thing! With supervision, of course. But he's gotten very good at staying in the middle and being careful when he gets off. We always joke that he's going to be a runner or a cyclist because that kid has some strong leg muscles!

Now talking, that's a different story. Evan's probably a little behind everyone on that. He's finally starting to add a few words everyday. But he already knows his ABC's and can count to 20 (and beyond although it's just one through ten over and over, but he understands how the numbers go). He just doesn't say many "real" words. Our other "joke" is that he wanted to get the basic building blocks down before he actually started talking. So what does he do, he learns how to spell car (one of his first words to say), ball, pooh (as in Winnie) and his name. He can't say his name (calls himself "baby" ), but he can just about spell it. He runs around the house saying, "C, Car." Or, "C-A-R, car." And, "A, apple." We have magnetic letters and numbers on the fridge (that he likes to carry off all over the house). He use to just point to them and name them. Now he's started lining them up in order as he goes through the alphabet. Oh, and he bounces on the trampoline while saying his letters, or counting (or making us count along with him--I know I've gotten past 100 a few times with him). He's also a clock watcher, and likes to announce the time. "2-4-8. 4-8. 4-8. 4-9! 2-4-9." This is how I spend my day....

Anyway, I guess my point is that babies learn in their own time in their own way. But certainly if you don't feel right about something, question it! Hope you get your answers soon.

[abigailsmom]

I have no pearls of wisdom (dd is not even close to crawling). but Abigail and I send positive thoughts your way!!!

[nohomama]

Beth,

I'm adding my sentiments a bit late here, but I also wanted to wish Sarah and you well on Saturday. I hope the assessment puts your fears to rest so that you can focus on what an exceptional child you have rather than worrying about whether she's walking or not.

Take care,

[ddmarsh]

I'm sending my good wishes as well - hope everything goes well.

Debbie

[flagger]

Sorry I am late to this thread, but I wanted to wish you all the best on Saturday.

[megsmom]

Sorry I am late in responding on this. I too want to wish you luck on Saturday. I hope all goes well and that you can have any fears put to rest. I guess my mom did not walk until she was 18 months. In her case it turned out to be that she was terribly nearsighted. Prior to getting glasses she was a very timid, easily frightened child who was probably afraid to move much given that things were constantly surprising or scaring her. Vision also makes up a huge part of the balance system. She ended up walking soon after she got her glasses and is one of the smartest people I know. I'm certainly not meaning to imply that Sarah has any visual problems, but just wanting to let you know it all turned out okay for my mom anyway.

Just out of curiosity, who is doing the eval? An OT or PT or other professional? I personally haven't been too worried about Sarah since she has been making consistent motor gains all along. I've also been seeing her do more and more over the last several playgroups. I have tried not to say much since I didn't want you to think I was analyzing your kid from the sidelines especially since I'm not a pediatric specialist. I certainly would have approached you if I was truly concerned. I do know some things from my pediatric training, such that it is normal for some kids not to walk until close to two. It just may take Sarah awhile longer in the balance department. An amazing amount of things have to come together in the nervous and musculoskeletal systems for a person to take balanced steps. It's a wonder any of us learn it at all.

I would just like to add that we all think Sarah is a wonderful, cute, adorable little person who we would not change one bit. Let me know how it goes.

Keeping my fingers crossed for ya,
Jen
mom to Meghan 7/13/01

[muskiesusan]

I would, too, would like to wish you well on Saturday. My ds has been taking his sweet time hitting most of the milestones and at 17 mths still hasn't muttered a word, and a good friend has a baby who at 12 months isn't yet sitting due to muscle tone problems. We were talking the other day that one of the frustrating parts is what others around you say. Somedays I avoid going to mall when I don't think I can handle some stranger telling me what my baby should be able to do. Like I don't think or worry about that??? Just keep focusing on what she can do, she certainly is adorable!!!

Susan

[Annette_C]

Beth,
This thought just came into my mind....
Have you considered a walker? I know there's a lot of controversy out there about walkers but I personally believe that if we, the parents, don't watch our children, they'll get hurt walker or no walker.
I've used them in the past and my kids LOVED them! We got Sabrina one last month and she already pushes it around taking steps. We have a big, open area that she uses and where she cannot get into trouble even if she wanted to.
I just wanted to make this suggestion to in hope of helping since every baby in my extended family has used a walker to learn how to take first steps.

PS. I'm attaching a picture of Sabrina in her walker so you can see what I mean.
Annette
SAHM to Sabrina 6/24/02