low muscle tone

[lisanapier73]

hello there. we've just found out our 5 yr old has low muscle tone. we're seeing the OT & have been given excercises for him to do, but i am just after some more information about low muscle tone, and would greatly appreciate any helpful comments/tips etc about this.
many thanks
lisa

[bloomingbellies]

So far you are doing well - seeing an OT (or physio) is a fantastic start and following their home program even better. Low muscle tone is surprisingly common and often not picked up which can result in adult injuries (back pain) etc. Your child's arms/legs feel 'floppy'. It can be genetic so yours may too! He probably has endurance problems (fatigues easily, poor posture) and fine motor (writing) problems which is probably why he was referred to an OT. Stick to your program and return for a review from your OT !
Liz
Paediatric Physio (mum to 2!)

[lisanapier73]

many thanks liz for your reply.
i've got some more information now, the OT lent me a couple of books, also gave me a lovely "name" for my boys condition - dyspraxia. from what i have read though he has it very mildly. we are having an interesting few months trying to get him ready for the big change to grade 1 next year, and are working him hard with OT at home, and also his speech therapy. hes great about it all & is still a very happy wee soul which is the most important thing to me.
you're correct about him fatiguing easily - hes always been a 12 hour a night sleeper. the big thing with him is his poor attention span/distractability at pre-school, which looks as though its all linked with the condition.
what really cracks me up are all the experts that we're reccommended to see - had an assessment with a developmental paediatrician, and our speech therapist is also pushing us towards getting an intelligence assessment done on him, to show the school we are trying to get him into next year, to be aware of the level of "special needs" he would require if he goes there. i'm still undecided about that one though .
oh well, i know we're so lucky, theres a lot worse he could have to deal with in life i know.
thanks again
lisa

[bloomingbellies]

Sorry Lisa - A long time between visits to the forum!

Get the intelligence assessment done. It is best to have as much information as possible to give to his new school so they can help him right from the start.

Also be careful not to "overtherapise" your son. Try to make as much of it playbased and fun as possible otherwise it is a chore for you and him and you will both wear out.

Good luck. You sound a very supportive mum.
Liz

[lisanapier73]

thanks liz for the feedback.
we're just getting on with life with our boys as usual, having fun with the different therapy homework too. have also started brodie on a supplement i heard about called Efalex, which it is claimed helps with concentration etc. we can only try these things i guess!
it also looks as though brodie will be going up to the primary school attached to his pre-school, which is good as they have all the official reports etc on brodie, and are getting to know him already. also, his OT is going to come along to pre school next term and observe him there, and make some recommendations to his teachers, which i think could be of benefit to him also.
time will tell i guess, and its worth trying out. many thanks
lisa

[Michele Crocker]

Hi Liz,

I know what you are going through. I have a son who has low muscle tone. He was diagnosed with this problem when he was born. We have been seeing a physio/o.t in a block of sessions every year since he was born. He is also developmentally delayed by a few years. He is actually due to be assessed again to see how far mentally he is behind. My son has troubles playing any kind of sport because of his low muscle tone. I will be getting my son back into swimming shortly, he has been out of swimming for a few years because of ear problems. I have been told swimming is good for kids with low muscle tone.

Michele
Mother of Christopher, Luke,Melissa, Jayden and ?(due in November)