Something Is Realllly Wrong With This Child..

[youretooloud]

And, it's slowly getting worse. (22 months old)

1. She shivers all the time.

2. When I change her diaper, she can't support her legs like most kids can... she just shakes when I lift her legs.

3. When I need her to stand on one foot to put her other foot into her pants, she can't support herself on one leg. She's even leaning against me, and holding onto me.

4. She falls all the time. She falls at least every 15 minutes. Today, she hit the door.

5. She can't reach across the table for her cup unless she leans against the table, and usually one of the kids has to help her.

6. Can't sit on the floor unless she sits W style, or she'll fall over. (no trunk control)

7. NEVER puts her hands down.. they are always tucked tightly against her chest. Never opens her hands unless she's holding something.

8. Walks on her toes.

BUT......

She can completely dress and undress herself. Even shoes and socks. She can climb the slide. She can talk like a three year old. If something is lost, she knows where it is. She knows everything that belongs to everybody, and will organize anything I need organized.

I asked the mom, and she says "She's just cold, so she shivers". But, it's not always cold... and she still shivers. They aren't going in for a well check until summer, so I'm the only person who notices this. They aren't the least bit concerned. Mom said "lets see how it looks in six months".

[youretooloud]

Oh.. also, this may be important.

She had a bad flu in November. MOm says (I didn't know them then) that the shivering didn't start until about a month after she recovered from the flu.

[momofsix]

Does the mother seem concerned at all?

I wonder if she somehow got some type of long term damage from the flu? I would be copncerned, and make sure to mention if to the mother if you haven't already. This girl really should be evaluated by a doctor.
She's lucky she has a provider like you that's knowledgeble and concerned enough to point these types of things out.

[youretooloud]

I have brought it up twice. I was told it was no problem, and they aren't at all concerned. The doctor hasn't seen her since her 12 month checkup.

[QualiTcare]

hmm - some things don't sound concerning like needing to hold onto you when putting on pants - LOTS of kids have to do that.

but the thing that sticks out to me are the clenched fists and the toe walking. those CAN be signs of autism. it could explain the shaking/shivering also. instead of "flapping" their arms, some kids will clench their firsts and shake. you can do it too if you clench your fists and teeth tightly your body will shake.

i would have another talk with mom and tell her even if she doesn't want to take her to the doctor that it would make you feel a lot better if she would at least mention the behaviors you've seen to the doctor when she goes for her check up. maybe you could do some research and print out some information for her to look at that will persuade her a little. good luck.

[youretooloud]

hmm - some things don't sound concerning like needing to hold onto you when putting on pants - LOTS of kids have to do that.

No.. I fully expect to have to support her, but she still can't lift one leg. She tries, and knows what to do, but it's too hard for her.

I don't see any other signs of autism, since she's verbal and very social... even bossy. It's just these physical things.

[TBird]

The flu is the part that really bothers me. There are so many illnesses that we blame on the generic "flu". It could have been something that affected her nervous system. If it were me, I'd take her to the doctor ASAP. BUT, you've done what you can do....I'd just keep mentioning it every....single....day. They'd get tired of me talking about it and take her to the doctor...works on my husband like a charm!!!

[QualiTcare]

hmm - it could be a sensory processing disorder. there's no way to tell. you have to get the mom on board to at least bring the things up to the doctor.

[gbcc]

It sounds like she needs to see a Dr. There are many nerve and muscle disorders that would cause the child to clinch her hands as you mentioned.

[masquedxangel]

This is really, really interesting to me. The parents are doing the opposite of what most parents of young children do and UNDERreacting. It really sounds to me like it may be related to the flu. The extreme problems with balance might be linked to Positional Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Try taking her pulse lying on her back, and then have her stand up and take her pulse a few seconds after she stands. See if it changes by 20+ beats. If it doesn't it's not consistent with POTS but the shaking and weakness sound like possible circulatory issues and POTS is frequently triggered by the flu.

I really think you need to stress the issues -- try getting video of her falling frequently, have her try to stand on one leg with a hand against the wall, etc. Try to impress that she isn't behaving normally.

[daycare]

I have a history of anemia, as I am a very strict vegan. I try to increase my iron levels in other ways, but just have not found a way to do so. Because of this, I shake a lot. When it is hot out, you might even see me in a sweatshirt or jacket. I am very thin and I get cold easy.

Also, how is her diet? I am a very busy person, I can’t sit down. If I don’t have enough food in my system and my blood sugar gets too low I tend to trip over my two feet.

I have no medical background, but it does seem like this child needs to go to the doctor. Otherwise, it will just keep everyone guessing what is wrong with this child.

Maybe tell the parents that she needs to be seen by a doctor or cant return to care. Is that possible?

[youretooloud]

I don't have much of a backbone.. I don't think I can say "You must have her seen by a doctor". I can nag them though.

[daycare]

I don't have much of a backbone.. I don't think I can say "You must have her seen by a doctor". I can nag them though.

do you think that you have any proof that you could use as neglect if they did not?

I was forced in this situation about a month ago when I had a kid who was producing white stool. the parents did not seem to think it was a big deal. It took several days for me to collect a sample of the white stool to dispaly to the parents. I told them he goes to the doc or he can't come back..... for this situation, there was something wrong with the child and the child spent several days in the hospital. I ended my relationship with this family, over this and other issues.... it was all very very sad...

[youretooloud]

do you think that you have any proof that you could use as neglect if they did not?

No.. I actually am blessed to have all wonderful parents. Short of minor annoyances, they are all perfect. She's well cared for, loved, and generally happy. I just think they REALLY believe she's just cold.

[daycare]

No.. I actually am blessed to have all wonderful parents. Short of minor annoyances, they are all perfect. She's well cared for, loved, and generally happy. I just think they REALLY believe she's just cold.

trust me I know how it is. There is only so much you can do and it sounds like you are a great provider. I would just keep nagging them...