Why is she always falling?

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Forum -> Children's Health

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smoms

Thu, Aug 23 2012, 9:40 pm

DD is 6 and falls at every available opportunity. Since she started walking, she is always falling down. We've checked her vision numerous times, had her walking and bones examined by an orthopedic doctor/

She trips on the cracks in the sidewalk and stuff on the floor. For example, she is running to get something and will fail to notice something in the way and of course fall down.

Is it possible she doesn't see down, when she is looking across? or something like that?

I don't think she is a klutz, she can pedal a bike and jump rope perfectly fine.

MaBelleVie

Thu, Aug 23 2012, 9:43 pm

Yes, it is possible she neglects a field of vision. Have you ever had her evaluated by a developmental optometrist? Vision training can really help, if that's the issue.

smoms

Thu, Aug 23 2012, 9:50 pm

whats a developmental optometrist? how can I find one? what way is this diagnozed? I assume its different than a regular vision screening.

Rubber Ducky

Thu, Aug 23 2012, 10:10 pm

Maybe also get her ears/hearing checked -- inner ear problems can affect balance.

MaBelleVie

Thu, Aug 23 2012, 10:12 pm

smoms wrote:

whats a developmental optometrist? how can I find one? what way is this diagnozed? I assume its different than a regular vision screening.

Yes, it is a specialized type of vision testing and treatment. You can start a new thread asking for recommendations in the area you live, or ask your pediatrician.

granolamom

Thu, Aug 23 2012, 10:16 pm

ditto the ears/hearing eval
also, I'd explore a sensory angle. maybe you can find a PT or OT to evaluate her balance/proprioception

goforit

Thu, Aug 23 2012, 10:16 pm

it could be that she is not calculating the distance from one object to the next. vision threapy really helps. good luck

Last edited by goforit on Fri, Aug 24 2012, 10:32 am; edited 1 time in total

smoms

Thu, Aug 23 2012, 10:25 pm

I don't think its a hearing/balance issue, though I will certainly explore that option as well. She falls on something that she fails to observe. She doesn't lose her balance out of the blue. (And she hasn't reached the age of pretending not to hear Smile

so I think her hearing is fine)
But all these suggestions are great starting points. Thank you!

bnm

Fri, Aug 24 2012, 12:05 am

peripheral vision? depth? those are stuff the optometrist should check for

cbsmommy

Fri, Aug 24 2012, 12:17 am

goforit wrote:

Goodwill or Savers. Just Like New, Plato's Closet often have really nice designer stuff for ridiculously low

Methinks that this went into the wrong thread.

OP - have you spoken with your pediatrician regarding your concerns?

ice coffee

Fri, Aug 24 2012, 6:23 am

I know someone who dealt with this issue and was helped through either ot or pt. it could be a matter of how the body is wired.

saw50st8

Fri, Aug 24 2012, 7:33 am

DS falls a lot. He has low muscle tone.

smoms

Fri, Aug 24 2012, 9:14 am

Yes, I have spoken to my pediatrician about it. Conclusion was always check her eyes/ and she is clumsy. When she was younger, she had knock-knees so we blamed it on that. I don't see her as being particularly clumsy in other areas. And the optometrist has always assured us she is fine.

So now I think I will get her evaluated by an OT/PT and an eye specialist because this problem does not seem to be going away.

granolamom

Fri, Aug 24 2012, 12:47 pm

usually, we dont trip on small cracks or things like that. usually we rely on three systems, vision, inner ear, and proprioception. usually any one of the three can do a decent job compensating for a system that isnt functioning optimally. so in theory, she shouldnt have to 'observe' these obstacles in order not to trip, most small disturbances in plane should be picked up by the body's proprioceptors even with the eyes closed. in fact, some balance tests do that, they have the person perform various movements with eyes open and eyes closed to see if the person is relying heavily on vision for balance tasks.
I dont remember what 'normal' is for kids her age, but I do know that some kids who are 'clumsy' can be screened for these types of balance issues and there are exercises that can help strengthen the system, if, in fact, it is compromised. which of course I have no way of knowing, I was just throwing it out there as a 'maybe you want to read up on this' suggestion.

another thought, does this happen all the time? or does it come and go? because some kids get like that during growth spurts.

kitchen designer

Fri, Aug 24 2012, 12:56 pm

Have you had her vitamin D levels checked? Lack of Vitamin D can cause falling. (I had this with my son)

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