Let's Get Physical

Name: Anna Davis Warren

Age: 12 months (well 13 months now, but at the time of diagnosis...)

Diagnosis: Gross Motor Delay

At about 11 months our Parents as Teachers representative checked in on Anna and decided that we needed to look into why she was not yet crawling.   She suggested I call First Steps and my Pediatrician to start working to find out why there was a delay, and to start closing the gap between her and her peers.  
A First Steps representative came out and she was FABULOUS.   I loved working with them so much and was really bummed/relieved  to find out that we did not qualify for this free service.   Based
upon her observation, Anna was not experiencing a developmental delay but rather a "lack of experience".   Pause.   Let me go into why there was such a lack of experience just so you don't make this same mistake (& you don't think I am a horrible mother). 
Anna and Eli are EXTREMELY different in temperment.   Where Eli always required constant stimulation, Anna is content just sitting by and letting the world pass her by.  Where Eli squirmed when we snuggled, Anna always hates when we stop.   Where Eli loved being swaddled, Anna was fine without it.  Where Eli loved the bottle so much I had to stop nursing, Anna never took one.   So at 3 years (Eli) and 6 months (Anna) they were worlds apart, yet adore each other.  From the first week that I brought Anna home Eli couldn't resist laying on her, pulling on her, or hitting her with an object.   (We STILL struggle with this).  While some of that is aggressive, I am beginning to see that perhaps it is his way of showing her that he loves her.  Regardless we were all happier (and safer) when she was in my arms (and NOT doing tummy time).  When she learned to roll over (developmentally on time at 4 1/2 months) she then learned to sit up (at 6 months).   Once she sat up I just never laid her down...(this is where my ignorance comes in)...I just thought tummy time wasn't necessary any more so we'd just skip it : )   Anyway 6 months turned into 11 months and there was still no sign of creeping, crawling, etc. (although she was beginning to scoot on her bottom).    
Resume. The First Steps therapist gave me some tips for Anna (and Eli, but that's another blog) and that was that.   We worked on the exercises and Anna was doing a great job army crawling, backwards.  At 12 months we had a wellness visit with our Pediatrician.   She was concerned as well that Anna was not crawling and referred us to a Physical therapist. 
At the initial evaluation we found out that her ability to do the splits, and to manuver in and out of frog like position is not "normal".   They said she, "has full range of motion throughout all joints" which also means she has low muscle tone.   We walked out of the appointment with more excercises, biker shorts to keep her hips from jetting out, and were asked to come back for weekly visits.  
Anna has proven to be more driven than I thought...she started crawling one week later : )   Now she did need the right motivation at first...oranges and shoes were the best bets.   Now she does not motivation.  She loved it so much at first that she squealed with delight as she practiced her new skill.  At her follow up appointment she was congratulated given some more tips (she was still getting into crawling position from the splits) and she showed so much improvement we are down to only once a month. 
So next time you see her give her a pat on the back (or bottom) for all of her hard work!   You GO girl!