Yay! Robbie is learning to walk!!!! This is beyond exciting for us but also a little nerve wracking. Due to his hypotonia he is going to need to be wearing a helmet for awhile. I asked his physical therapist to explain for me the need for this. Here is what she has to say...
Hello Everyone who is concerned about Robbie's helmet,
Robbie is one of my fastest improving kiddos! I didn't expect him to start taking steps so quickly. He also started to crawl before I expected, pulled to stand earlier than anticipated, and is now starting to take steps on his own when ever he gets inspired to walk. Unfortunately, he has started to take steps before he developed good balance in standing. He doesn't yet have protective extension responses that are fast enough for him to catch himself with his arms if he starts to fall forward or backward. He also compensates for his immature balance by locking his knees which helps to prevent his body from using equilibrium responses (compensations in movement) to maintain his balance.
For example, if Robbie is pushed forward from standing, you will see his arms come out after his head has hit the ground. If you push him backwards, even from sitting, his arms often won't come out to protect him at all.
I recommend that Robbie wear his helmet for all of the time that he is awake and mobile, to prevent a head injury. Because Robbie is so interested in exploring his environment, I'm afraid that he might crawl over to a surface, pull to stand and then let go to take a few steps to reach a toy, without first getting his balance or recognizing the danger of the coffee table corner right next to him.
Amanda does a wonderful job taking care of Robbie. He has just gotten so fast with his movements that it seems an awful lot to expect her to be within arm's reach of him all day long. The helmet is just extra insurance that he will not hurt himself before he develops good standing balance including protective extension responses and equilibrium reactions. I do not expect him to have to wear the helmet forever, but I can't say how long he will need it. I have learned not to predict when Robbie is going to learn to do something, he has shown me it happens on his own personal schedule ;)
Kris Fought
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Florida Hospital Celebration
Hello Everyone who is concerned about Robbie's helmet,
Robbie is one of my fastest improving kiddos! I didn't expect him to start taking steps so quickly. He also started to crawl before I expected, pulled to stand earlier than anticipated, and is now starting to take steps on his own when ever he gets inspired to walk. Unfortunately, he has started to take steps before he developed good balance in standing. He doesn't yet have protective extension responses that are fast enough for him to catch himself with his arms if he starts to fall forward or backward. He also compensates for his immature balance by locking his knees which helps to prevent his body from using equilibrium responses (compensations in movement) to maintain his balance.
For example, if Robbie is pushed forward from standing, you will see his arms come out after his head has hit the ground. If you push him backwards, even from sitting, his arms often won't come out to protect him at all.
I recommend that Robbie wear his helmet for all of the time that he is awake and mobile, to prevent a head injury. Because Robbie is so interested in exploring his environment, I'm afraid that he might crawl over to a surface, pull to stand and then let go to take a few steps to reach a toy, without first getting his balance or recognizing the danger of the coffee table corner right next to him.
Amanda does a wonderful job taking care of Robbie. He has just gotten so fast with his movements that it seems an awful lot to expect her to be within arm's reach of him all day long. The helmet is just extra insurance that he will not hurt himself before he develops good standing balance including protective extension responses and equilibrium reactions. I do not expect him to have to wear the helmet forever, but I can't say how long he will need it. I have learned not to predict when Robbie is going to learn to do something, he has shown me it happens on his own personal schedule ;)
Kris Fought
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Florida Hospital Celebration
