DownSyn Forum

Nathyrra

My wee boy seems to be thriving in somethings but very delayed in others.

For example. He babbles constantly, he has recently started saying 'Mama' 'Dada' and 'Baba' He's very nosy, loves to investigate things. This makes me feel confident that he's progressing really well.

However, on the other end of the spectrum. He can't sit up on his own yet. He will hold his arms down and support himself unattended for about 10 seconds before he topples but I have to put him in that position, it's like he's not aware of his limbs or how to use them to balance himself. I am wondering if this is somewhat 'normal'? He seems so ahead in somethings and so far behind in others. I just worry about him. He gets physiotherapy twice a week and is progressing, albet at a slow rate.

Looking for a bit of reassurance that he's doing alright. Thanks guys x

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Nathyrra · Posted: September 12 2011, 4:27 AM Post subject:

Doh sorry, forgot to add that he's 11.5 months old now. lol x

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mary c · Posted: September 12 2011, 5:38 AM Post subject:

Most babies with DS have low tone in their muscles and will be delayed in some of the gross motor milestones as a result. There is a good book available from Woodbine press called "Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down Syndrome" (or something like that). Do you get physical therapy in Germany? I know at that age our PT was working on a lot tummy time and reaching to build up the core strength--the PT encouraged us to put her down on her stomach a lot with toys in front of her so that she had to lift her head and reach for things. She also would dangle bright things over Anna's head to get her to reach up for things. You need core strength before you can successfully sit and stand.

Anna started talking "on time" but her gross and fine motor skills have always been delayed. The book said that most kids with DS can be divided into two groups--the physically active and the "observer". Anna has always been an observer.

If you haven't already done so, I would have a physical therapist evaluate your child so you can get some tips on things to do and so you can get an idea of where your son stands.

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Mary
Mom to Libby 6/92, Alex 9/93, Anna (DS)12/12/03

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mary c · Posted: September 12 2011, 5:41 AM Post subject:

And I would add I wouldn't "worry"--this is not an indication of how your son is going to develop overall. It's just something that you have to deal with.

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Mary
Mom to Libby 6/92, Alex 9/93, Anna (DS)12/12/03

Please support the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q284/maryc_010/a13-1.jpg[/img]

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TheBradyBunch · Posted: September 12 2011, 10:00 AM Post subject:

This is normal for down syndrome. Forget everything you know about timelines....seriously. He doesn't care when he "should" be doing something. Just keep helping him practice, he'll get there eventually.

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Mom to: Nicholas (May/02), Nathan (April/04), Charlene (June/06), Noah (DS, ASD) (May/07), Jesse Lynn (July/08 ), Tessa (Apr/10), Kaitlyn (Jun/12)

"Sometimes the things we can't change end up changing us"

Emdad · Posted: September 12 2011, 10:01 AM Post subject:

Agreed, don't worry about this - it will come. As part of Emma's Early Intervention therapy - and I think it was a little later than this point - they provided a "chair" for her to sit up in - it was essentially a 'corner' built out of finished plywood with a large padded post that went between her legs. . . we used it for about 6 months or so. Although we never had one, I think a "Bumbo" chair might do the same thing (help me out with this one, those of you that have/had them. . . ).

burnsun · Posted: September 12 2011, 11:08 AM Post subject:

We love our bumpos for the kids they cam out here in US around 04/05 so only 1/2 my kids used them! They do the same thing as that corner chair..... but looks so less scarey to others and we take ours places.....

also..... Will he sit supported?

I used to but the kids in a skinny tall laundrry basket so if the fell over they were supported but neither Colin or Melea liked the platic feeling and they would try to sit up correctly......slowly but surely it built up the muscles they needed (again all pre bumbo!!!!)

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Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS & type 1 diabetes, ASD
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism & Partial Complex, Seizures terology of Fallot
& Retinal detachment w partial blindness at this time
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03) ADD
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS , ASD, pulmonary hypertension, ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy & Stero Typical Movement Disorder & AV Canal
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)ADHD
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie
Sarah Emmaline "Emma" Grace (2/15/2011) 35week little one with a variety of issues inc: cp & fragile x & Seizures & severe birth trauma & G-J tube, Severe reflux, and recurent pnumonia and tracheosomy and vent chugging princess since 8/24/2012!

wife to the best & greatest guy Eric

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AliMama · Posted: September 12 2011, 5:43 PM Post subject:

I agree with Jane that the Bumbo is great for holding him in a sitting position, but it works head and neck muscles and doesn't make his trunk work. He is just fine. Smile

He's doing things in his own time, which is what our kiddos do. Just keep working with him. On the floor or sitting on your lap, hold him lightly on each side of his trunk. Let him use his muscles to hold himself, but keep your hands on/near to catch him when he tips and straighten him back up.

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Maresa,
Mom to Alisa (10-29-2008) DS, complete AV canal repair on 3-6-2009

mellysmom · Posted: September 12 2011, 9:41 PM Post subject:

All four of my children were crawling around on all fours before they could sit up unassisted. Melissa was 15 months old the first time she got into a sitting position all by herself.

You're little guy sounds like he is doing very well. He will sit up by himself in time. Smile

Michelle

Nathyrra · Posted: September 13 2011, 12:17 AM Post subject:

Thanks so much for the support guys.

Levi sits up very well supported, and he's showing signs of trying to crawl. I guess I just thought it was always done in an order lol. (My First child, I'm following books haha) He's always on his tummy these days and turns well on his own, and s always reaching and rolling for toys infront of him.

His physio sees him twice a week and she sees him improve. Shes trying to strengthen his tummy muscles right now as we both think this is the problem area. He has very strong legs, but weak arms and stomach. I do reckon sometimes he will walk before he sits.

Levi has a Bumbo but really dislikes it, but will quite happily sit supported on my lap. I guess I panic when I see other babies with DS sitting unsupported already when my son still has a long way to go in that department.

Thanks again x

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Ditta · Posted: September 13 2011, 1:39 AM Post subject:

Levi sounds to me like he's doing really well in general, even if he is a bit slow to sit up. Teddy started being able to sit (with arm support, not with a straight trunk) at around his first birthday, and he has taken him aaaaages to be able to sit really well unsupported. He is 22 months old now and can sit really well for however long he wants to, get in and out of position on his own, and has just started crawling! But he also wasn't as vocal and inquisitive at Levi's age, he is a lot more so now.

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Matilda (2005,) Philip (2007,) Teddy (DS, 2009) & Ramona (2012)
Blog: http://www.ab8matilda.blogspot.com

Emdad · Posted: September 13 2011, 10:30 AM Post subject:

It's ok to keep an eye on those "order" things, but don't count on them where our kids are concerned. When Emma was really young, a therapist was doing her best to get her to "combat crawl." Emma would not do it. Vicky and I actually burst out laughing in the PT room one day watching the therapist struggle . . . Emma wasn't, she was just doing it her way, and nobody was going to change it. Poor therapist never had a chance. Emma never did that crawl, and she moved past that stage just fine.

HAnd · Posted: September 13 2011, 12:23 PM Post subject:

I thought you'd like to know, Kyle finally began sitting when he was 11 1/2 months old but at the time was making only breathy aaahs and ooohs, very newborn sounds only. He is almost 2 here and he still has no words that he actually vocalizes. He signs and babbles but Ive never heard a "mama" or "dada". I think Levi sounds like he's doing fine, especially if you're seeing progress, no matter how slow, progress is progress. Looking at the whole picture in our kids is very important and letting go of that timeline is very important too!

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-Heidi wife of Kevin and Mom to Nikolai-12, MaryKate-11, Sara-4, and Kyle (T21)-9/27/09 is a big brother! To Eon- 9/2/12

shab2010 · Posted: September 16 2011, 11:37 AM Post subject: HI

hi im new to this but saw your post and its something i can really realate to, my son is 18 months now he doesnt walk yet but hes trying but hes not strong enough to soport his upper body yet, however when he started sitting up on his own hed always fall down just backwards without any fear lol, he knows mummys behind to catch him, but yeh he did that for a bout 1-2 months i could never leave him i always had to sit with him to catch him, but then all of a sudden i started realising that he wasnt doing it anymore then he was trying to crawl, but i think that was a bit hard for him so now he just shuffles on his bottom, so dont worry about it hopefully youl be shocked they learn them selfs its just a waiting game really , soon just like me youll be asking questions about walking x

Tigger · Posted: September 21 2011, 1:14 AM Post subject:

Sounds pretty normal to me. He will do things in his own time. Low muscle tone means all those type of things tend to be delayed but they get there eventually. It can be hard for us thinking we aren't doing enough to help them but I have found that no matter what I have done to "help" Talitha she has gotten the hang of things when she is ready and not before.

She has her own timeline and order Very Happy

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

Will · Posted: December 15 2011, 9:56 PM Post subject:

Liam was some 15 months before he could sit unassisted. (Wish he'd babble! He knows some words but he needs to get the practice of being a chatterbox. He's 3 now.)

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Father of Liam (DS, '08 ) and Charles ('10).

Helen · Posted: December 16 2011, 5:02 AM Post subject:

Yup, I can only echo what everyone else says. He'll get there in his own time! Matt did things in the wrong order. He was standing holding the sofa or someone hands at 6 months, taking steps at 7 months. But he didn't crawl until he was 14 months! Totally the wrong order. Likewise he sat at 7 months, and learnt to roll at more like 9 months - again, the wrong order!

But at 8 years old, I can safely say he does everything!!! Lol.

I know it's frustrating, as mum, and you just want them to hurry up and do it, and sitting up is so cool. You see life from a totally different perspective, but stress not, he'll get there! Smile

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Helen

Mum to ...
Rachael, Matt - DS & Autism - and Hannah. My gorgeous kids!

youdontknowJack · Posted: December 16 2011, 5:03 PM Post subject:

Jack will be one on Sunday and still does not sit unassisted.
BUT as others have pointed out, its all done on their timeline.

As long as progress is occurring, everything is fine.
My Gen has said that "getting into things" and entertaining ones-self (Jack does those thing too) is a sign of "intelligence". I found that comforting and encouraging, as I hope you do. Very Happy

***edit
As you can see in my sig pic, we have a bumbo, and I would like to offer a word of caution. Jack has "escaped" the bumbo a few times, luckily I saw him before he completely fell out. Some kids who have escaped the bumbo have suffered skull fractures, even when the bumbo was on the floor. There has been news coverage lately about this, so PLEASE be careful, all who use them.

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Monica Mom of Ayden (10) Zavien (8 ) and Jack (2)

Adens mummy · Posted: December 18 2011, 8:48 AM Post subject:

yes please dont worry. i cant remember if Aden was sitting for his first birthday or not, but he didnt walk till he was 4yrs old, now im running to catch him all the time.

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Nathyrra · Posted: December 22 2011, 6:29 AM Post subject:

Thanks so much guys.

Levi is 14 months old now and he's still coming on a little on the slow side. He does things great if he has the will to do them, but otherwise quite enjoys just rolling around lol.

He started sitting by himself at about 13 months, but he really hates to sit. If he has a toy in front of him, he will sit and play with it, but he soon forgets he's sitting and rolls backwards. Is this common? He combat crawls a bit, but gets bored of that easily too! He got evaluated last month, where the early intervention lady that visits him put him in the 8-10 month catagory.

He babbles, but he has no grasp on what he's saying. He'll say 'mama' to his papa or his toys for instance. There's alot of concepts he hasn't grasped yet. It's so hard not to worry!

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