Children with autism have a problem with decreased muscle tone or increased muscle weaknesses. As a result, their body posture falls in the forward direction putting their weight over their toes. This is why they tend to walk on their toes rather than their feet.
Background: Toe walking is associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Correction of this “behavior” is a health challenge. The toe walker is affected by the contact refusal with the outside world: touching the ground as little as possible, trying to avoid any contact.
Research shows that children with autism represent 20% of children with idiopathic toe walking—however, a study shows that 9% of the sampled population represent ASD children diagnosed with toe walking. Yet, 0.5% represents children who walk on their toes but are not on the autism spectrum.
Cerebral palsy, congenital Achilles tendon contracture, and paralytic muscle illnesses like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy may all induce toe-walking. Toe-walking has been linked to developmental abnormalities including autism and other myopathic or neuropathic conditions.
Toe-walking and sitting with the feet out to either side of the body may not seem alarming, but they are both glaring red flags of abnormal development and indicate a sensory processing concern.
While many people think toe-walking is specific to autism, it's actually commonly related to sensory or muscular issues, and it can have long-term health effects.
The researchers concluded that children with ADHD have an increase in idiopathic toe walking and Achilles shortening, especially if they presented with a social communication disorder or a family history of toe walking.
Walking on the toes or the balls of the feet, also known as toe walking, is fairly common in children just beginning to walk, especially those with autism. A child cannot be able to make heel-to-ground contact when they are in the initial stages of the gait cycle, which is when children are learning how to walk.
A dysfunctional vestibular system, a common problem in autism, may be responsible for toe walking. The vestibular system provides the brain with feedback regarding body motion and position.
Our results demonstrate that roughly 9% of patients with ASD have a diagnosis of toe-walking as compared with less than 0.5% of children with no ASD diagnosis.
Typically, toe walking is a habit that develops when a child learns to walk. In a few cases, toe walking is caused by an underlying condition, such as: A short Achilles tendon. This tendon links the lower leg muscles to the back of the heel bone.
However, in 2019 a large-scale review of trends and treatment patterns found that 9% of children with ASD are diagnosed with persistent/idiopathic toe walking compared to less than 0.5% of children without an autism diagnosis (Leyden et al., 2019).
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
“High-functioning autism” isn't an official medical term or diagnosis. It's an informal one some people use when they talk about people with an autism spectrum disorder who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills like eating and getting dressed. They can live independently.
Signs of autism in young children include: not responding to their name. avoiding eye contact. not smiling when you smile at them.
People with autism sometimes may have physical symptoms, including digestive problems such as constipation and sleep problems. Children may have poor coordination of the large muscles used for running and climbing, or the smaller muscles of the hand. About a third of people with autism also have seizures.
Early signs of autism include atypical social and communication behaviour, repetitive behaviour or movements, and intense interests. Early signs of autism usually appear in the first 1-2 years of life.
This might be accomplished by sensory strategies such as massage, deep joint input into the toes, and ankles, and/or use of vibration. ankles to attempt to give input into the balls of the feet and lower the heel of the foot. Use a specialized brush to brush the soles of the feet with joint compressions.
It's common in toddlers as they learn to walk. Most children stop toe walking on their own by age 2.
Toe walking has been identified as a symptom of disease processes, trauma and/or neurogenic influences.
Regulation: Children may toe walk when they are particularly anxious or heightened, in an attempt to self-regulate or calm themselves down. Habitual: Children who continue to toe walk may do so due to habit and or because the muscles and tendons in their legs have tightened over time.
Toe walking refers to the lack of heel strike during the stance phase of the gait cycle. It is a common variation of normal gait development in children.
A majority of children will stop toe walking on their own without intervention. Physical therapy, bracing and casting are used to treat toe walking, with surgical procedures available if these methods are unsuccessful.