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20 month old boy losing control & tripping while walking

Hi, My 20 month old boy have recently started tripping while walking. It seems like he loses control over his knees and has no power to stand up on them and just falls down. Tries to get up and start walking/running and a few steps later loses control from the knee and falls. He does this on both legs. This has been seem intermittently in past 2 months and when we mentioned to our doctor he asked us to observe him, nothning more. He started walking when he was 12 months old and have been showing this behavior recently. I dont know what to do or which way to proceed. We have a doc appointment coming up today and will see how it goes. He is normal kid and has shown no signs of any other ailment. Oh one more thing, when this happens, he wakes up in the night crying loudly as if he is getting some sort of pain attack (well thats just my guess though right now). And then he suddenly quiets up and falls asleep. Since he doesnot speak yet, he cannot tell us what is going on. Please any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.
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13167 tn?1327194124
I completely agree with specialmom and I should have been clearer.  I've seen children with low tone,  or sensory integration difficulties and they do seem to trip a lot,  and when they trip up a little they're more likely to fall from that tripping incident than children with higher tone.  It's as if their bodies feel heavier and once in motion,  they're more likely to trip and fall rather than just stumble a little bit.    Sometimes the child appears to merely stumble over the tip of his shoe,  or a small item on the floor or walking on a path with small tree roots and stones that other children can compensate for.  

In those cases it's very clear to the observer that the child is in fact,  tripping on something and is unable to compensate for it,  and can't plan to compensate for it as a child who is walking on a rocky path can usually plan for it,  or a child entering a room with a small step up or step down.   So sensory integration and low muscle tone are a concern with a child who is tripping more than normal.

In your description,  I'm not seeing that scenario.  In a child who is truly tripping, you can point to exactly what the object was (or shoe part) the child tripped on,  or slippery surface that he was able to balance on.

What I'm reading from your description - could be wrong - is that his legs are collapsing and unable to hold him up in the standing position.

Sorry to be so long winded!  ;D
Helpful - 0
973741 tn?1342342773
Well, to be honest----------- what was presented to me when a preschool teacher saw an issue with my son was "tripping and difficulty understanding speech".  Actually tripping is quite common with motor planning issues as is speech.  Most occupational therapists and speech pathologists will actually ask you about tripping.  It takes a lot of coordination to carry out things like walking and the slightest issue with organizing and processing in the nervous system would create what you describe.  Do not panic.  My son has sensory integration disorder and issues with motor planning but is doing awesome.  

Has anything ever been mentioned to you about low tone or has your son ever had any feeding issues?

I'm glad you have a doctor's appointment coming up.  One thing that we have in the states which is quite nice is the birth to three programs in which a child is assigned a coordinator that then starts any evaluations that might be necessary to find any issues.  You can request it or your doctor can and it is provided free depending on your income level by your state.  It is given because we know that early intervention is the best way to help a child and many can actually catch up if there is an issue detected. An occupational therapist works on motor planning and for issues such as you describe, I wonder if physical therapy services would be requested.  And-------- if your son does qualify for these services under early intervention laws, it is paid for by the state.  (a great program.)

Sometimes there can be just a little thing wrong that needs correcting.  Your terminology of tripping rings bells for me.  I by no means am trying to say there is something wrong with your child but I always suggest that families investigate further to make sure.  good luck
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13167 tn?1327194124
indeo,  a couple thoughts.  When you describe this to health care workers,   I would avoid using the word "tripping".  Tripping is pretty common in that age,  some kids are more coordinated than others,  and some just trip a lot,  and it's not really a concern.  

You go on to describe that he is collapsing from his knees,  which is less common,  and then he apparently has trouble when he gets up continuing walking due to his knee strength.  Somehow,  if you could videotape that it would be really helpful for a practitioner to see.

The sleep thing you describe sounds like night terrors to me.  Does it happen within the first hour of falling asleep?  Night terrors are a sleep state where the child is disoriented and agitated,  in a sleep state.  Then,  they wake up,  look a little confused and go right back to sleep.

Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
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