Toe Walking | AUTISM & SENSORY

What is toe walking? Tip toe walking can be confusing to some parents on what causes it and how to help it. For some, there's an immediate concern about toe walking and autism. As always, never use my videos or ANY random internet platform to make a choice about your child. ALWAYS consult with a licensed professional.

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[barbaralance]

I was toe walker since I was a child, I’m adult now walking on my toes when my foot doctor sent me to physical therapy to help it took years and years to train me not to walk on my toes and to train me not to walk like like duck feet too. I still I have to catch my self when I start walking on my toes, it’s hard but I but I learned a lot from going to my physical therapist.

[cheyennecollett]

All my autistic kiddos toe walk, and I do it as well, always have. I'm autistic myself.

[jenniferagee]

Hi Stephanie, my son had been a toe walker since he started walking at one. He started having problems with his back and other leg problems and his tendons were shortened. We had Achilles Tendon Lengthening surgery when he was 15. He did Excellent with the surgery, he also had physical therapy afterwards. He is now 20 and is still not walking on his toes. He is driving and working and not having problems with his legs, back and feet. Surgery sometimes is not the correct option but my son is glad he had the surgery.

[kristinwallace]

Great video abut toe walking with kids on the spectrum. I also want to add that it also a sign of tethered cord/occult tethered cord syndrome. This condition is more common in EDS and EDS is more common in kids/adults with Autism. This is often missed by doctors which is why I am commenting. I have cEDS and am Autistic. I have had occult tethered cord since birth, and symptoms since birth, but it was missed till I was 27 (last year) Due to this I have permeant nerve and bladder damage. I also have a fused spine because my scoliosis was caused by tethered cord. Tethered cord/ occult tethered cord should always be ruled out in anyone who toe walks. The occult form won't show up on MRI, so docs need to be aware of the symptoms. Thanks for sharing.

[nathanjw]

I wanted to share something that had multiple other autistic adults having similar experiences. I struggle with coordination issues for me it's like driving a car without power steering. You can do it but much harder and harder to control.

[kmartin]

Thank you for this video! Made me feel so much less alone.❤️

I’m 22 and used to toe walk like this up until last year, until a family member pointed it out and I got embarrassed. Now I mask and walk normally.

I still do the t-Rex arms, but I hide it by holding my sweater or necklace.

I wish society was less judgemental of autism.

[beccah]

My 7 year old is a tip toe Walker. He goes to physiotherapy. But what I find works for him is putting him in heavy footwear and encouraging him wear a backpack with a bit of extra weight to it. He still slightly tip toe walks, but not as bad because the extra weight keeps him more grounded and his feet nearer to the floor. Ankle weights are really good too if they are walking around the house bare foot

[carriebowlen]

SORRY I AM SO BEHIND ON YOUR VLOGS STEPHANIE! I LOVE BEING A MEMBER OF YOUR LANDing crew!! Been super busy and not feeling great.

[laibahhussain]

I’m nearly 18 and I have autism we do lots of new stuff and learn new stuff

[carriestott]

My daughter is 12 and we just found out this past summer she is autistic. A lot of things I just thought were little quirks for her, which were signs of autism. I found out just last week that she walks on her tip toes a lot, but I never knew because she is flat footed and doesn't raise her foot up much when she does it. I only found out because she told me she likes to walk on her toes, so I watched her walk one day and she does.

[EsaLena]

If Noah has regular dislocations, is it possible that he has EDS?

[summermazur]

I've toe-walked since I could walk. I'm in my 30s and still do it. Definitely a sensory and proprioceptive thing for me.

[annhugo]

This is really fascinating to know more about.

I've done toe walking as long as I can remember. From when I was little I often had ankle pain that was I guess associated with it, but I didn't understand that 1. that wasn't normal and 2. that the grown ups in my life didn't know about it (since I knew my ankles hurt, I thought they must know as well). I didn't know I walked differently really until I was 17, other than a teacher once saying I walked oddly (when we were doing gymnastics). A few months ago my mum got me new boots that make it difficult to toe walk. I still have to think about my walking to not toe walk, but it helps to remind me not to. My ankles have been feeling pretty good since. I still toe walk if I don't have the reminder of the boots though. I'm 19 now, so it's strong habit.

[toystorylover]

Love this video! I don’t toe walk but I did grit my teeth as a child. I don’t grit my teeth anymore though. I think it was a sensory thing because I would do it when I was bored. Noah seems like he’s a toe walker. I would think Lex would be a toe walker but I guess not. Everyone’s different. Well, thanks for sharing! Have a great day!

[jessiewrites]

I toe walked a lot as a kid. Everyone would say “aww you’re a ballerina!” Haha. I’m an adult now and although I am a ballet dancer I am also autistic and I still walk like this on floors I don’t like the texture of lol

[faithm.]

I was a toe walker as a kid!! And I am a self diagnosed asbie!

[louwandmaker]

Thank you! 2 of my 5 toe walk. You’ve just prompted me to get them into someone. The OT is focussed on toileting so I’ll get a PT on board to look at this.

[maybreech]

I toe walk and I'm in my 20s. It's not a physical problem for me, I walk normally when I wear boots and sometimes in shoes, or I lead with my toe and then put my heal down.This was very interesting I didn't realize how rare it was in adults! Thanks for the video, I'll check with my doctor when I go to to make sure I'm not gonna cause long term issues, I am quite clumsy lol although since I've been walking like this forever I'm pretty good at it

[Sarah-N]

Im autistic and I don't toe walk like people typically do. I walk on the outsides of my feet because I HATE the way the floor feels. Especially when I don't have shoes on. It's to the point now where I have bunions on the outside of my feet, towards the middle of my foot by end of the 5th metatarsal I think it's called. I have to wear certain shoes now, I'm scheduled for surgery on my feet. And a single mother of two nonverbal kids. So this is going to be big fun for me 😅
I'd definitely keep an eye on the feet and even see a specialist to ensure no damage is occurring as a result.

[amied]

A great informative vlog! Thank you. G (2.5) toe walks around 50% of the time, she had an appointment with an orthodist last week, she already wears Billy shoes, we are going to start with a carbon fibre insert and if she still manages to toe walk she’ll go into an SMO. G can twist her ankles a lot, it makes me cringe just thinking about it, she was going to do herself some damage to them if we didn’t get onto it. She’s also doing some great work in PT.