Physical Therapy: A New Journey

As some of you know, Brycen did not crawl until after he turned one and did not walk until almost 18 months old.  At the time, he was on track with all of his other development so it really wasn't a concern to the doctor.  About 6 months after he started walking is when he began regressing in all of those developmental areas.  He continued to have some issues with gross motor skills such as climbing stairs and jumping.  While he has come a long way in the last couple years with being able to climb stairs upright correctly (though his balance is unsteady at times or when he is carrying something) and he can now jump enough that both of his feet come off the floor slightly, he is still behind in so many areas. 

We have been so focused on his communication and other skills that we just hoped the physical skills would eventually come with some work at home.  His older cousin, Ethan, passed down a bike with training wheels to Brycen a couple years ago and Brycen absolutely loves it.  The problem is that he is 5 years old and still unable to pedal not only that bike, but a big wheel that he received a couple years ago also.  When we put him on the bike, he just rocks his body back and forth.  When we push on his feet on the pedals, he doesn't do anything.  So we just resort to pushing him around while he screeches happily for the ride. 

Last summer, we decided to get him a motorized tractor for his birthday that has a big button to push down with his foot to make it go.  Aubree was also given a motorized power quad for her birthday but the button to go is up by the handle so you just use your thumb.  We noticed Brycen still couldn't figure out how to push his foot down to activate the tractor though he did figure out how to use Aubree's quad.  Unfortunately, he is pretty big for the quad.  Fortunately, he doesn't seem to mind that he can't get his tractor to go and will just sit on it making those happy noises again! 

So over the last year, I have listened to parents talk about children younger than Brycen learning to ride a bike with training wheels and some even learning to ride without.  Some of these children also have ASD's and it reminded me about how he still can't catch on to pedaling.  It's like the wiring between his brain and his legs just isn't connected.  While he doesn't seem to understand all of this yet, I know that it won't be long before he notices other children riding their bikes around him.  I also remember riding a bike through my entire childhood...and to me it's a huge part of growing up.  Having a bike, learning to ride, enjoying the summer with friends!  Brycen has been missing out on so many things already that are a regular part of being a kid...and I refuse to add riding a bike to that list. 

This is where the new journey comes in.  I requested an order from his new doctor for a Physical Therapy evaluation at the clinic he goes to.  I already know who the PT is there and she knows Brycen so it wouldn't be a hard transition.  Tomorrow is the big day for the evaluation and since we've already talked a bit about it, she understands it's the pedaling, jumping, and balancing that he needs to work on.  To the public eye when we are taking a walk, it doesn't seem like Brycen has any obvious deficits since he can walk, run, etc just fine.  But we've let these "hidden" things go on too long now.  We thought it would slowly come, but after a couple years of working on this ourselves, he has made no more progress and it's not fair to him.  We aren't trained to be physical therapists, we are just parents that want the best for our son.  If that means we will be adding on a couple more therapy sessions a week until he catches up, then so be it.  While so many kids his age are out and about, riding their bikes and beginning to play in soccer and t-ball leagues...we will be taking him to and from therapy so he can work hard at learning those things that are supposed to come naturally to children. 

One step, two step, three step and so on

Brycen has always been behind in his gross motor skills. He did not crawl until 12 1/2 months and did not walk until 17 1/2 months. When I addressed this with the doctor at his 1 yr well child visit, they did not have concern because at that time, he was meeting all of his other milestones. He was saying quite a few single words, stacking blocks, making eye contact, pulling himself up, eating finger foods, etc. The doctor specifically said that sometimes kids just don't crawl and if he reaches 18 months without walking, we would look at starting him in Physical Therapy. About 2 1/2 weeks before he was 18 months, he started walking and it was a joyous moment! I was 3-4 months pregnant with Aubree and I was fretting about having to carry a newborn and a toddler around when she was born if he didn't start by then.

Here we are, a few years later and he is still behind in gross motor skills. He does not run as fast as other 4 yr olds, and cannot turn a corner while running which I guess is something he is supposed to be able to do. He cannot pedal a big-wheel, has trouble with walking up and down stairs without holding onto something, as well as he is very slow at learning various obstacles at the playgrounds. The picture to the right was taken when he was about 3 and shows he needed and still needs a lot of guidance while trying to climb up certain areas of playgrounds.

But after explaining all of these areas we are still working on with him...I am so happy to share his accomplishment from yesterday! I watched as he tackled the 10 or so cement steps that led to the entrance to the therapy clinic. While going up stairs, he will either hold onto the railing or walk up them "Spiderman style" with balancing himself on his hands in front. If he is upright and holding on, he still brings his feet together on each step before putting one foot on the next one. I was absolutely amazed to see him be able to walk up those steps without holding on and without needing to use his hands for balance. It was slow...but it was FANTASTIC!! He was so proud of himself and stood at the top with a huge smile on his face. He knew what he did...and I know he has been working so hard on this!

Another moment that I will not take for granted!!